Photos: Northern Exposures Photography
ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – A Brandon Rossetti marker with 5:47 remaining in regulation, coming in his Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League debut, proved to be the game-winner as the Timmins Rock went on to down the Elliot Lake Red Wings 4-2 Saturday at Centennial Arena.
Needing only 21 seconds to strike, Timmins got the game’s initial tally as they came out of their own zone on a two-on-one and saw Brady Harroun send a pass across to Nicolas Pigeon, who snapped it in the open side on Red Wings’ starter Sean Guerin.
It stayed 1-0 Rock until past the midway mark of the contest when Elliot Lake clicked on the power play with Thomas Dimoulas completing a play into the open side from the left of Timmins goalkeeper Patrick Boivin.
The Rock came back to regain the lead at 14:44 as Nolan Ring finished off the work of Nicholas Frederick who powered his way in front with a diving attempt that generated the opportunity.
Coming back with the equalizer early in the third, Elliot Lake’s Ethan Mercer was allowed to move in from the left side and fire a shot that was deflected in by Shawn St. Arnaud parked in front, for his initial NOJHL tally.
Rossetti then got the eventual difference maker as he backhanded in an attempt from the left of a screened Guerin to put the visitors back in front for good.
The Red Wings did pull their goalkeeper late for an extra attacker, but Pigeon iced it as he came out of his own zone and eventually scored into the empty net to secure the road decision.
With the result, Boivin got the win as the Rock won their fourth straight and improved to 15-5-2-1 on the campaign moved back into first place in the league’s East Division, one point ahead of both Powassan and Hearst.
The loss was the first in four games for Elliot Lake as they fell to 11-10-0-0 on the year.
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
