Noah Serre scores 2, sets up another as Canadians clip Wildcats

ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – A night after having their home opener spoiled by the Elliot Lake Wildcats Thursday, the Rayside-Balfour Canadians returned the favour Friday by getting two goals and an assist from Noah Serre to help them skate to a 5-2 decision in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Centennial Arena.

The opening 20 minutes was an impressive one for the visitors as the Canadians skated out to a 3-0 lead after one period of play.

It was scoreless until the midway point of the session when Noah Serre notched his first of the season for Rayside-Balfour.

A Canadians’ man advantage opportunity two minutes later helped them go by a pair as James White’s power play marker accounted for his initial NOJHL goal.

Rayside-Balfour kept coming and tacked on another extra man effort with 25 seconds left thanks to 2016-17 league rookie of the year Kyle Liinamaa.

Canadians’ starting goaltender Matty Mayhew continued to keep Elliot Lake shooters at bay for another period as Rayside-Balfour took their 3-0 cushion into the third.

Evan Krassey extended the visitors lead 67 seconds into the final frame to help seal the outcome in the Canadians’ favour.

The Wildcats would eventually dash Mayhew’s shutout bid halfway through the period as Logan Freiburger picked up his initial league tally, which came during a man advantage opportunity.

Serre added another for visitors with 8:50 remaining before Dave Ellford round out the scoring, late, for the Wildcats.

Brady Maltais dished out two assists to aid the RBC cause.

Mayhew’s 40 saves helped earn him his first NOJHL victory in net for the Canadians.

Allan Menary faced 53 shots in defeat for Elliot Lake.