NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Sept. 5, 2014
Gold Miners blast Blackhawks to commence title defence
KIRKLAND LAKE – The defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champion Kirkland Lake Gold Miners made an early statement that they intend to repeat after blasting the Mattawa Blackhawks 10-0 Friday evening at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
Special teams played a big factor in the outcome as half the tallies Kirkland Lake notched came via the power play.
Kirkland Lake jumped out to a three-goal lead after 20 minutes on markers by Ryan Swain, Charles Bruneau-Crete and Chris Pearson chasing Mattawa starter Josh Horner after just 13 minutes of play.
Jeremy Dumont and Swain tacked on efforts in the middle session to put the Gold Miners 5-0 through the second stanza.
They then blew the contest open in the final frame erupting for five more goals to round out the rout.
After Dylan Rosen made it 6-0 early in the third it was followed by four more efforts off the sticks of Tristen Hazlett, Travis Hall, Luc Soares and Zach Pease.
Steven Babin dished out four assists to aid the offensive cause for Kirkland Lake while Jeremy Picard-Fiset and Soares dished out three helpers apiece.
Kenny Fitzgerald made 14 saves to register the first shutout of the NOJHL season and pick up the win in net for the Gold Miners.
Horner faced six shots in suffering the loss while Joe Sheppard saw 25 attempts in relief.
