NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014
Kirkland Lake defeats Blind River 4-1 in NOJHL play Saturday
BLIND RIVER – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners got goals from four different skaters en route to a 4-1 victory over the Blind River Beavers Saturday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at the Blind River Community Centre.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes Samuel Wilbur buried his 30th goal of the season at 2:24 during a man advantage while also extending a consecutive game point streak to 11 to put his side up 1-0.
Just 14 seconds later Tanner Lafrance added to the Gold Miners cushion as he finished off the work of Ryan Scherer and Kyle Bishop in what would turn out to be the game-winning marker.
Entering the final frame Blind River ended the shutout bid of Kenny Fitzgerald with 7:29 to play thanks to Luke MacDonald who drew assists from Zach Nadeau and Everett Mills on the play.
Kirkland Lake captain Daniel Morin put the visitors back up a pair a minute and a half later however and Luke Meade added some insurance with an unassisted effort at 15:17 to round out the scoring.
Kyle Bishop chipped in with a pair of helpers for the winners.
Fitzgerland finished the night with 40 saves in registering the victory for the Miners who fired 26 shots on Dylan Knox in the Blind River net.
Second place Kirkland Lake now heads to Sault Ste. Marie Sunday afternoon for a 3 p.m. matinee at Essar Centre as they take on the league-leading Soo Thunderbirds as they try and put an end to the 25-game winning streak of the No. 1 ranked club in the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
Sunday’s other contest features the Espanola Rivermen at home to the Elliot Lake Bobcats in a 2 p.m. start at the Regional Recreation Complex.