By Barry Ferguson/Gold Miners Media/Communications
Newington, Conn. — The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners made their first appearance at the Eastern Hockey League Showcase Series a successful one, downing the East Coast Wizards 4-1 in Connecticut, Thursday afternoon.
Playing a two-times-25-minute format, the club got off to a slow start due to early penalty troubles and as a result it took a bit to find their rhythm.
Joshus Maine opening the scoring for the Gold Miners at 10:11 of the first frame off feeds from Blake Bonnar and Vinny DeSanctis.
The hard-working Wizards got that back 65 seconds later, as Carter Elrod beat a very sharp Dawson Rodin.
The Miners power play then clicked as Hunter Foreshew banged home a rebound at 21:43, with Sam Elwood & Greg Trudeau-Paquet drawing assists.
The Wizards outshot KL 12-10 in the 1st period.
Action in the final frame saw Vinny DeSanctis give Kirkland Lake a two-goal lead at 19:43 with a one-time blast off a great set-up from Troy Daniels.
Then James Scott iced it with an empty netter with 1:43 left to secure the victory.
Rodin made 19 saves to record the win for the Gold Miners.
The NOJHL side will face off against the EHL’s the Walpole Express Friday afternoon at 2:50 p.m.
