FRENCH RIVER – Rebounding from a two-goal deficit, the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners came back to take the lead, then withstood a late push by the French River Rapids, before eventually prevailing 5-4 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Friday at Noelville Arena.
Converting on the night’s initial man advantage opportunity, the Rapids’ Tristan Lavoie located a pass put in front from down low courtesy of Daniel Petrov and snapped it past Gold Miners’ goalkeeper Morgan Hyndman just over three minutes into the contest.
Coming right back, Matthew Neuman tied for Kirkland Lake at 3:47 as he controlled a rebound laying at the top of the crease and tucked it by French River starter Gavin Zuccato.
Retaking the lead on another power play, Lavoie potted his second by tipping in a Dacey Dupuis attempt from the left point.
The home side then took a 3-1 lead into the first intermission when Adrian Berisha had two chances to the right of a sprawled Hyndman before lifting it in for his initial NOJHL tally.
Pulling back to within one seven minutes into the middle frame, Kirkland Lake’s Tysen Anderson whipped one in from between the circles.
The visitors then tied it before the end of the session as Jacob Demers fired one through bodies from the left side past a screened Zuccato.
In the third, Kirkland Lake went in front with a Lex Lamontagne marker 2:20 in as he finished off a play put to the slot from Owen O’Grady.
Continuing their comeback midway through the final session, Yosef Pievsky stuffed in a lose puck off an odd-man rush.
Inching closer, Leif Sigfusson brought French River back to within one with 3:43 to go as he wired one in from the right side off a turnover that generated a three-on-one.
Getting their goalkeeper out late in an effort to force overtime, the Rapids had some chances, but in the end, the Gold Miners held on for the road win.
