Photos: Marc-André Longval
HEARST, Ont. – Appearing in his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest in over a month Saturday, Carson Cox scored twice and doled out a pair of assists to help lead the Hearst Lumberjacks to a 4-2 triumph over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners Saturday at Claude Larose Recreation Centre.
Hearst pressed the pace in the opening 20 minutes, but could not solve Kirkland Lake goaltender Zachary Reddy, who was solid making 21 saves in a scoreless first frame.
In the second stanza, Nicklas Albrecht’s quality play saw him score for a third straight outing for the Gold Miners as he came down the right wing, slipped past a Hearst defender then proceeded to wire a shot into the top shelf to give the guests the lead two minutes in.
Coming back a couple of shifts later, the Lumberjacks drew level as Jaxson Holmes let one go from that point that skipped off bodies in front and left Gerret Harty with a short-range tap in for his first NOJHL goal.
Up a skater to begin the third, Hearst took the lead as Cox took a feed from behind the net then cruised in and roofed a shot from the right circle.
They then added some insurance by striking twice in a 19-second span to help put the game away.
The third Lumberjacks tally also came on the power play as Raphael Lajeunesse quickly fired a shot from into the slot, off a pass sent his way, and buried his ninth of the season for the eventual game-winner.
Coming right back, Cox collected another as he came in the back door and chipped in a lengthy feed from Holmes.
Up a skater in the late going, Kirkland Lake did get one back with John-Paul Scaringi finishing off a back-pass from Ryan Evenhuis with three minutes to go.
That would however be the night’s final marker as the home side earned the victory.
Shots on goal were 41-31 in favour of Hearst with Matteo Gennaro getting the win while Reddy suffered the defeat.