KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners jumped out to an early three-goal lead then withstood a valiant comeback bid by the French River Rapids before eventually pulling out a 5-4 victory Friday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
It was all Kirkland Lake in the opening 20 minutes as they tallied three times on efforts from Austin Anselmo, Matthew Brassard and Michael Fradette.
French River roared back in the second as they outscored the Gold Miners 4-1 in the session to level the affair at 4-4.
Back-to-back power play markers from Greg Trudeau-Paquet started the Rapids off before Kaden Hintz tied it 15:36.
The home side came right back and regained the lead just over a minute later compliments of Austin Ramirez only to see Christian Gaudreau reply for French River at 18:35 to tie it.
Kirkland Lake would prevail in the final frame however notching the game-winner off the stick of Kevin Ford with eight and a half minutes to go.
Tyler Fyfe chipped in with a pair of assists to aid the Kirkland Lake cause.
Shots on goal in the contest favoured the Gold Miners 43-23 with Victor-Olivier Courchesne picking up the victory and Korlan Vader the loss.
