FRENCH RIVER – A Ty Chambers tally 3:16 into overtime was the difference as the French River Rapids rallied for a 3-2 come from behind victory over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners Saturday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at Noelville Arena.
Neither side would connect offensively in a scoreless first frame.
Skating in his eighth NOJHL game, Jacob Hiltz buried his first league marker for the Gold Miners nearly six minutes into the second stanza to give the guests the lead.
Kirkland Lake added another later in the middle period thanks to a Robert McLaughlin effort.
In the third, French River cut into their deficit with under nine minutes remaining thanks to the power play when Ryan Smith supplied his first of the season with assists going to Cooper Bowman and Alex Paul.
Then with time running out, the Rapids forced OT with 57 seconds left when Paul stuffed in the equalizer to keep the contest going.
In the OT, French River carried the play and were rewarded with the winner off the stick of Chambers to give his side the triumph.
The Rapids out shot Kirkland Lake 38-35 overall, including 22-8 in the third period and OT, with Ben Mongomery picking up the win while Kyle McNair helped the Gold Miners salvage a point in the meeting.
Game Photos courtesy of Dal Photography
