Gold Miners hold on to edge Rivermen in game 2

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Sunday, March 30, 2014

Gold Miners hold on to edge Rivermen in game 2

ESPANOLA – Kirkland Lake Gold Miners goaltender Jeremy Pominville stopped all but one of the 26 shots he faced to help his side hold on for a narrow 2-1 victory over the Espanola Rivermen Sunday night in game 2 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semifinal series at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.

With the triumph the Gold Miners now lead this best-of-seven affair 2-0 heading into game 3 Tuesday evening at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex in Kirkland Lake. The opening face-off in that one is set for 7:30 p.m.

The visitors would take the lead after 20 minutes notching the only marker of the first period as Austin Rust‘s effort eluded Rivermen starter Kevin Labelle at 7:51.

A tight-checking middle session was scoreless with Pominville and Labelle standing tall in their respective nets to keep opposing shooters off the score sheet.

The Gold Miners added some insurance with just over eight minutes remaining in regulation as Steven Babin stuffed in a rebound from the top of crease.

Espanola pressed the attack and pulled Labelle in the late going in favour of an extra skater and would dash Pominville’s shutout bid with just five seconds to go as Robert Smythe wired one home from the left side to get the Rivermen on the board on what turned out to be the final tally of the game.

Labelle was solid in defeat for the home team making 28 saves on the night in his first playoff start.

SERIES F
No. 2 Kirkland Lake Gold Miners vs. No. 3 Espanola Rivermen

Gold Miners lead best-of-seven series 2-0

Game 1: Kirkland Lake 2 Espanola 1
Game 2: Kirkland Lake 2 Espanola 1
Game 3:
Tuesday, April 1 @ Kirkland Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 4: Thursday, April 3 @ Espanola 7:30 p.m.
Game 5*: Saturday, April 5 @ Kirkland Lake 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: Monday, April 7 @ Espanola 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 9 @ Kirkland Lake 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary