Photos: Rob Fera – Points North Media
SUDBURY, Ont. – A four-goal second period broke open a tie game as the Iroquois Falls Storm went on to defeat the French River Rapids 7-3 Tuesday afternoon in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase Day 1 play at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
Iroquois Falls got it going early when Simon Lemieux collected a loose puck in the neutral zone, then proceeded to weave through multiple players and eventually rip a shot into the top right-hand corner on French River goalkeeper Gavin Zuccato two minutes in.
More from the Storm moments later, Landon Gallaher picked his initial NOJHL tally by chasing down a play put out of his own zone, then drove hard to the net and neatly tucked in a backhand through the legs of Zuccato.
That resulted in a quick goaltending change as Calvin Gardner entered in relief.
The Rapids cut into the deficit via the power play when Leif Sigfusson tallied for a fourth straight game when he grabbed a chance in the high slot and whipped it past Storm netminder Caleb Shuker.
They then drew level near the midway mark of the period as Jonathan Tripodi was sent dashing down the right wing were he wired one upstairs, high glove side.
Regaining the lead a couple of shifts into the middle stanza, Gallaher notched another one by finding himself alone and finishing a feed put his way by Benjamin Mikan.
Tacking on three more prior to the second intermission, Iroquois Falls built up a 6-2 cushion after 40 minutes.
After Noah Logan cranked in a blast from the blueline off a draw, Emmett Schipprack converted from the right circle with a snapshot, moments after his side handled a French River five-on-three.
Jason Cyr then clicked while up a skater for the Storm at 19:19 when he pumped in a one-timer after being teed up behind the net by Lemieux.
In the third, the Rapids got one back when Tripodi blocked a clearing attempt that allowed Joshua Cook go in on the right wing and roof a short side wrist shot on Shuker with 4:12 to go.
Completing his initial league hat trick late, Gallaher capped off another Mikan pass in close as he snapped an attempt past Zuccato, who had re-entered the game earlier on.
Picking up Player of the Game recognition for their respective sides were Gallaher and Sigfusson.
