FRENCH RIVER – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners picked up the game-winning goal and three assists from Tyler Fyfe to help lift them to a 4-2 victory over the French River Rapids in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Sunday at Noelville Arena.
The first man advantage chance of the contest helped Kirkland Lake take the lead as Joe Whittet scored on the power play half way through the first period.
Up a man once more early in the middle stanza saw the Gold Miners go up by a pair with Connor Evans beating French River netminder Andrew Rocha at 2:07.
Fyfe’s team-leading 32nd extended the visitors cushion at 13:51 as it proved to be the eventual difference maker.
Countering less than a minute later, Rapids’ rookie forward Levi Siau became the fifth first-year NOJHL player to reach the 20-goal plateau this season as he put his side on the board.
Answering back, Kirkland Lake went up 4-1 after 40 minutes compliments of a Sam Ellwood effort at 17:51.
Moving on to the final frame, Alex Paul added one more for French River midway through the period, but it turned out to be the final tally of the game.
Gregory Trudeau-Paquet added two assists for the Gold Miners in the triumph.
Shots on goal in the contest favoured the Rapids by a 47-27 count with Ryan Winter picking up the win and Rocha the loss.
Photos courtesy of Dal Photography