GALLERY: Early 3rd period markers lift Kirkland Lake over Hearst

KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners tallied twice in the first minute and a half of the third period to lift them to a 4-3 victory over the Hearst Lumberjacks in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Saturday at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.

The visiting Lumberjacks kicked off the night’s scoring five and a half minutes in as Bradley Golant beat Gold Miners’ starter Ryan Winter for his 21st goal of the season.

Hearst added another before the first period was complete with Alec Johnson finishing off the work of Max Johnson and Samuel Bourdages at 13:11.

Kirkland Lake was quick to get back in it in the middle frame with Marshal Nikitin collecting his 21st at 1:21 as he converted during a power play chance.

However, the Lumberjacks came right back just 22 seconds later to restore their two-goal lead thanks to Spencer Silver’s 27th.

Back and forth they went with Kirkland Lake scoring again on the man advantage as Sam Ellwood picked up his 14th midway through the game.

Up a man again to begin the final frame, the Gold Miners secured their third power play goal of the night 31 seconds into the session and Ellwood notched another to knot the affair at 3-3.

They then came right back and got the eventual game-winner from Joe Whittet at 1:28 in what turned out to be the final goal of the contest.

Connor Evans and Gregory Trudeau-Paquet chipped in with two assists each for the Miners.

Winter finished with 28 saves on the night to register the win for Kirkland Lake.

Jonathan Passarelli in the Hearst net suffered the loss allowing the four against on 18 attempts while Matt Kustra stopped all five shots he faced in 18 and a half minutes of relief.

Photos courtesy of  CapturingTheMoment.ca