GALLERY: Loft lifts Rapids over Rock in double OT

FRENCH RIVER – A Connor Loft goal 22 seconds into double overtime lifted the French River Rapids to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Timmins Rock Thursday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Noelville Arena.

French River also picked up the night’s opening tally at 7:12 of the first period as newcomer Josh Sylvain collected his initial NOJHL tally in just his second contest with the club.

A man advantage opportunity in the second stanza allowed Timmins to tie it when Evan Kentish-Stack drew the Rock level at 8:25.

Levi Siau’s 14th of the campaign put the home side back on top later in the frame only to see Timmins’ Jace Soroko knot the affair less than a minute later.

It remained 2-2 through the rest of session as well as the third period and the first OT before Loft won it for French River to give them the second point on the night.

Alex Paul had two assists to help the Rapids out, including one on the decider.

Josh Barrett made 40 saves to record the win for French River with Eric Jackson making 36 stops to help the Rock pick-up a point in the extra time setback.

Photos courtesy of  Dal Photography