KIRKLAND LAKE – The Cochrane Crunch stormed back from an early four-goal deficit to defeat the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 6-5 in overtime Friday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the Joe Mavrinac community Complex.
It was all Gold Miners early on in this one as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead on tallies less than 10 minutes apart from Charles Bruneau-Crete, Joel Fortin, Ryan Aubertin and Alexi Rivet.
Cochrane’s Brandon Janveau got his side on the board at 15:02 to make it a 4-1 game after 20 minutes.
In the middle session it was the Crunch who came out firing notching three markers of their own to tie it before the home side went back on top with a late power play marker.
Daniel Stagg, Reed Greg Gregory and Aviv Milner all capitalized for the Crunch before Steven Babin connected for Kirkland Lake with just one second remaining in the second stanza.
Cochrane forced OT with 61 seconds left in regulation courtesy of Stagg’s second of the evening at 18:59, which came with the man advantage.
In the extra frame Joey Mavrin completed the Crunch comeback 23 seconds into OT to win it.
Josh Racek doled out four assists to aid the Crunch cause, including setting up the game-winner.
All four goaltenders that were dressed saw action in this one with Ben Auger picking up the victory in relief of Troy Paquette.
Devon Debastos started for the Gold Miners, but it was Josh Erickson who suffered his first defeat in a Gold Miners uniform after he came in to replace Debastos after Cochrane’s third goal.
Total shots on goal were 30-26 in favour of Cochrane.
