CHELMSFORD, Ont. – The Rayside-Balfour Canadians used the strength of a two-goal first period to help them go on and skate to a 4-2 victory over the Elliot Lake Wildcats Thursday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Chelmsford Arena.
Brett McGlade helped send the Canadians on their way by opening the scoring just past the four-minute mark of the first period on an assist from Kyle Liinamaa.
The home side then added to their lead in the back half of the frame when Giordano Biondi notched his eighth of the campaign at 17:44.
On the power play to begin the second stanza, Elliot Lake capitalized on the man advantage with Carson Andreoli collecting his seventh goal of the season at 1:31 with help from Brett Lannin and Josh Bifolchi.
Rayside-Balfour got that back however four minutes later as Zachary Hauseman finished off a Alexander Fowke feed with what was the eventual game-winner.
The score stated 3-1 Canadians until late in regulation when Jett Leishman helped extend the cushion with an empty netter.
Continuing to battle, the Wildcats struck shorthanded with 23 seconds left as Ryan Hempel finished off the night’s scoring with a nifty backhand effort in his initial outing with his new club.
However, Rayside-Balfour held on from there to secure the win.
Canadians’ netminder Sebastien Plamondon finished with 14 stops to record the win for his side while Elliot Lake goaltender Justin Vertesi was definitely the busier of the two as he faced 45 shots in defeat.