MATTAWA – Kirkland Lake Gold Miners forward Alexi Rivet scored once and had three assists while defenceman Joel Fortin tallied twice and set-up another to help lead their side to a 5-2 victory over the Mattawa Blackhawks Saturday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Mike Rodden Arena.
The two sides combined for five goals in the opening period, including three by the Gold Miners on markers courtesy of Jeremy Dumont, Fortin and affiliate Gabriel Rheault.
Replying for Mattawa in the session were Brett Ouderkirk and Jimmy Philbin.
A Fortin shorthanded effort made it 4-2 for the visitors in the middle stanza and he then assisted on Rivet’s effort with four minutes remaining in the period, which turned out to be the final marker of the night.
Josh Erickson made 25 saves to register his league-leading 20th win of the season for Kirkland Lake.
Joe Sheppard started for the Blackhawks and stopped 33 of 38 in defeat with Josh Horner saving all four attempted he faced in nearly nine minutes of relief.
