NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, Sept. 30, 2013
Thompson’s hat-trick leads Gold Miners over Trappers
NORTH BAY – Everett Thompson notched a hat-trick while Steven Babin dished out three assists to help pace the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners to a 5-2 triumph over the North Bay Trappers Monday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Monday evening at West Ferris Arena.
Both teams were quick to find the mark in the opening session with each side netting a pair of markers apiece with Thompson and Dan Morin connecting for Kirkland Lake and Jake Staples and Zach Turner countering for North Bay.
The lone effort in the second stanza came on the power play as the Gold Miners’ Ethan Strong struck at 6:01.
Kirkland Lake then put the game away in final frame with Thompson tallying twice in the late going, including one into an empty net, to finish off his three-goal night and the evening’s offensive production.
Kenny Fitzgerald finished with 17 saves to pick-up the win for the Gold Miners who fired 45 shots on Dustin Hummel, who was solid in net for the Trappers despite the loss.
The victory allowed Kirkland Lake to move back into sole possession of first place in the NOJHL standings at 14 points on a 7-1 overall record.
North Bay slipped to 2-6-0-2 in the defeat.
League play continues Wednesday as the Sudbury Nickel Barons host the Soo Thunderbirds in a 7:30 p.m. start at McClelland Arena.