NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
Kirkland Lake dumps Blind River at NOJHL Showcase
ESPANOLA – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners used a well-balanced attack getting goals from eight different skaters en route to an 8-2 triumph over the Blind River Beavers Saturday afternoon at the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.
A night after a hard-fought 2-1 overtime setback vs. the league-leading Soo Thunderbirds, the Gold Miners responded Saturday in a big way.
Kirkland Lake struck for three first period tallies to take early control with Tanner Lafrance, Jonathon Langford and Steven Babin all finding the back of the net.
They then made it 5-1 after 40 minutes sandwiching markers from Samuel Wilbur and Everett Thompson around one from Blind River’s Vinny Barra.
Three more offensive efforts 78 seconds apart in the final sealed the outcome with Dylan Rosen, Luke Mead and Austin Rust all connecting for the Miners.
Luke MacDonald then rounded out the scoring for the Beavers, via the power play, at 12:07.
Andrew Bertrand dished out three assists for Kirkland Lake with Babin, Langford and Wilbur also picking up a pair of helpers apiece to go along with their goals.
Kenny Fitzgerald finished with 19 saves to record the victory while Dylan Knox faced 37 shots in a losing cause.
Two other Showcase contests go later today in Espanola with Abitibi meeting Sault Ste. Marie at 4:15 p.m. and Sudbury squaring off against North Bay at 7:15 p.m.
