Photos: Northern Lights Photography
HEARST, Ont. – Roaring back with the night’s final four goals, the Hearst Lumberjacks went on to down the Soo Eagles 6-4 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Friday at Claude Larose Recreation Centre.
The Lumberjacks began the scoring just over seven minutes into the match-up when Hugo Allard sent Mavrik Chan-Miguel dashing down the right wing where his attempt to the target got through Eagles’ starter Jace Knortle.
Sault Ste. Marie came back to tie it right off the draw as newcomer Jacob Peterson benefitted from a turnover behind the net that allowed him to swat in his first NOJHL goal into an empty net, in his debut.
Running a point streak to 16, Hearst captain Mathieu Comeau put his side back on top at 9:19 when he steered in a give-and-go with Ty McKay.
Countering quickly once again, the Eagles drew level as Peterson pushed a play ahead off a face-off and fed Nolan Nemecek at the top of the crease where he chipped in his chance past goalkeeper Owen Bonthuis.
A fifth tally in the session put the Soo into the lead when Nemecek notched another by lifting in a backhand during a goal-mouth scramble.
The Eagles had an opportunity to extend their edge when Lucas Caulfield was hauled down on a breakaway, only to be denied by the blocker of Bonthuis on a penalty shot.
In the middle stanza, the visitors did get a fourth on the evening thanks to Peterson forcing a giveaway that allowed Anden Marceau bury a shot from the slot just 1:32 into the period.
That resulted in a goaltending change for Hearst as back-up William Stonehouse entered in relief.
Hearst got back to within one, via power play, thanks to Allard, who took a pass from Cole Miller in the left circle and whipped it in.
Continuing to supply goals, the Lumberjacks knotted the affair off another extra-man effort that was finished off by Chase Thompson after a nice dish off from William Pâquet.
Still tied into the third period, Hearst got back in front at 8:23 when Pâquet pulled up in the Eagles zone and sent a pass across to Miller who wired one over the glove and Knoerle and into the top left corner.
Reaching the 20-goal plateau on the season, McKay added some insurance by slamming in a pass from the end boards by Chase Thompson to round out the scoring.
With the win, the Lumberjacks improve to 19-6-0-2 overall and in defeat, the Eagles dropped to 10-18-0-1.
