VIDEO / GALLERY: 1st period outburst helps Red Wings defeat Express

Photos: Northern Exposures

ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – After giving up the game’s first goal, the Elliot Lake Red Wings racked up four of their own in the first period to help send them on their way to a 6-4 decision over the Espanola Express in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up Friday at Centennial Arena.

Todd McBain did get the Express on track early as he connected 3:19 into the proceedings, with an unassisted effort.

Elliot Lake roared back however in the back half of the opening frame, scoring four times in less than a span of seven and a half minutes to hit the intermission up by three.

Silas Crawford provided for the first one for the Red Wings as he connected on the power play at 10:42.

Coming right back, the hosts tacked on two more in rapid succession, while at even strength, thanks to Brodie Kearns and Ethan Mercer.

They then saw Matthew Shulist convert at 18:04.

Moving to the middle session, Espanola’s Kobe Braham, who has been hot as of late, scored for a fifth time in his past four outings, struck shorthanded for a sixth time this season, which leads all NOJHL skaters.

They then saw Ty McHutchion collect his team-leading 21st tally with under a half a game to play as he buried one via the power play to pull the guests to within one.

However, Elliot Lake picked up the eventual game-winner in the final moments of the second thanks to Alex Antoine, with help from Kjell Osborne.

In the third, Shulist put the Red Wings back up by three with a man advantage marker before Jack Thor of the Express rounded out the scoring at 13:44 with an extra-man effort of his own.

Cameron Smith got the win in net for Elliot Lake while Matthew Loney suffered the loss for Espanola.

The victory also put the Red Wings 10 points up on the Express in the NOJHL standings as they draw ever-closer to securing the league’s final playoff spot.

“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel