NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016
Canadians need double OT to defeat Rapids 3-2
CHELMSFORD, Ont. – It took double overtime, but the Rayside-Balfour Canadians withstood a valiant effort by the French River Rapids, before earning a 3-2 victory in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Saturday at Chelmsford Arena.
French River grabbed the lead12:10 into the opening period thanks to Bret McInall’s 14th goal of the season.
The Canadians came right back with the equalizer 27 seconds later as Mackenzie MacMillan picked up his 11th of the campaign to knot the contest at 1-1.
Rayside-Balfour then struck in the final second of the stanza as Otis Goldman converted during a late man advantage opportunity.
The power play allowed the Rapids to even things up 2:10 into the second with Dew Tobobandung tying things up.
Another by MacMillan staked the home side to a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes as his scored for a second time on the night at 10:59.
French River came back to force overtime with 4:39 remaining in regulation on Adrian Nicholas’ third.
Skating four players aside in the first five-minute OT solved nothing so they went down to three skaters each in double OT.
It was there that the Canadians prevailed when Matt Neault supplied the game-winner 2:15 into the second extra session.
Bradley Chenier had two assists for Rayside-Balfour.
Jessie Morin was called upon to make 27 saves in picking up the win for the Canadians.
Alec St. Georges helped the Rapids earn a point as he faced 44 shots in defeat.
