KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – A Caleb Thompson breakaway goal two minutes into overtime finished off a third-period comeback by the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners as they pulled out a dramatic 4-3 victory over the French River Rapids in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Sunday at Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
First period play saw each side score once, with Cooper Bowman connecting on the power play for French River while Kirkland Lake’s Connor Van Weelie supplied a shorthanded marker.
Moving on to the middle session, special teams helped the Rapids regain the lead late in the second when they notched another man advantage effort off the stick of Nicholas Sribny, who picked up his first NOJHL goal at 18:46.
The visitors then came out quickly in the third and added to their cushion 70 seconds into the session on a Ty Chambers effort.
Beginning their rally, Jacob Hiltz brought the Gold Miners back to within one at 7:37 with his fifth overall.
Not down there, Thompson tied it with six minutes left to knot the affair at 3-3 and help force extra time.
In OT, the action was end-to-end and eventually saw Thompson sent in alone on French River netminder Chase Johnson where he made a quick deke left before sliding in the game-winner and completing the comeback in style.
A.J. Campbell had two assists for Kirkland Lake as did Alex Paul for the Rapids.
Shots on net were 33-32 in favour of the Miners with Kohl Reddy recording the win while Johnson helped his team earn a point in defeat.
Game Photos courtesy of CapturingTheMoment.ca