TIMMINS, Ont. – A pair of Brant Romaniuk markers, including what proved to be the eventual game-winner, helped the Timmins Rock skate to a 5-1 victory over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League meeting Sunday at McIntyre Arena.
Notching the afternoon’s opening goal, eight and a half minutes in, Kirkland Lake’s Trent Nobes collected the rebound off a long bouncing dump in from Inde Abresch, then banked an attempt off a Timmins defender and past goaltender Graham Gee.
Answering that just 25 seconds later, Romaniuk put the Rock on the board as he finished off a feed into a gaping net put out front by Kaeden McArthur.
The assist helped McArthur run a point streak to five, while with the second helper, Clark Scaddan, got his name on the game sheet for a ninth straight outing.
Heading to the second stanza, following a fast-paced first, the home side took the lead at 11:32 after McArthur won a draw back to Romaniuk in the left circle and saw him rip a shot past the Gold Miners’ Mason Janicki.
The tally also saw Romaniuk reach the 100-point plateau in his NOJHL career.
Adding to their cushion a couple of shifts later, Henry McLellan made it 3-1 Timmins as he stuffed in a puck put into the crease by affiliate Lex Lamontagne, with the latter picking up his first point in a Rock jersey.
Moving to the final frame, Matthew Kim retrieved the puck after an initial chance was blocked, then fired it in from the slot to add some insurance for the Rock with 6:45 to go.
The hosts then rounded out the scoring late in regulation when Ryan Armitage chipped in a play sent his way from Hayden Rynard.
The outcome sees the Rock defeat the Gold Miners for a 52nd consecutive contest, which dates back to November 29, 2018 when Kirkland Lake last won against them, which was by a 4-3 score.
With the No. 4 seed heading into the playoffs, Timmins (33-16-2-1) will now gear up for their upcoming quarter-final series versus the No. 5 Soo Eagles (32-17-0-3).
Kirkland Lake meanwhile completes their 2024-25 season at 9-39-1-3 overall.
Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
