Timmins Rock forward Thomas Beard attempts to jam the puck under Hearst Lumberjacks goalie Alexandre Boivin during the first period of Friday night’s NOJHL game at the McIntyre Arena. While Beard was foiled on this play, he scored a shorthanded marker in the second period to help the Rock edge the Lumberjacks 3-2. THOMAS PERRY/THE DAILY PRESS jpg, TD, apsmc
TIMMINS, Ont. – Zach Secord’s first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League goal, coming early in the third period, held up as the game-winner as the Timmins Rock went on to slip past the Hearst Lumberjacks 3-2 Friday at McIntyre Arena.
An evenly played opening 20 minutes failed to produce a goal as the clubs hit their respective dressing rooms for the first intermission still knotted at 0-0.
Moving to the middle frame, Timmins opened the scoring while shorthanded after a Hearst shot attempt sailed high and wide and out of the zone, which allowed Thomas Beard to dart down the right wing and neatly pick the left corner on Lumberjacks’ starter Alexandre Boivin at 3:04.
Still on the power play though, the visitors tied it a minute later when Adam Shillinglaw took a pass from down low at the top of the right circle and whipped a high-rising attempt past Rock netminder Dryden Riley.
Going back in front at 11:15, Timmins’ Jack Kelly ran a point streak to five as he jammed one in from the side of the crease for his ninth of the season.
Adding to their lead early in the third, Rock defenceman Secord made a nice play to keep it onside and sent a shot from just inside the blueline that found its way in for his initial NOJHL tally.
A crafty Liam Bowsell marker brought the guests to within one as he darted into the Timmins zone, then drove hard to the slot and whipped a shot upstairs for his 150th NOJHL point, coming with just under nine minutes to play.
Getting Boivin out for an extra attacker with 1:36 remaining in regulation, Hearst pushed to knot the affair, however a late Lumberjacks penalty helped the Rock run out the clock and skate away with the narrow victory.
The outcome sees Timmins improve to 16-7-0-0 on the season while Hearst slipped to 16-6-0-1.
Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
