GALLERY: 2 each for Dokis-Dupuis and Maltais as Canadians handle Rapids

FRENCH RIVER – Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Friday at Noelville Arena saw Matthew Dokis-Dupuis and Brady Maltais both tally twice for the Rayside-Balfour Canadians, who went on to handle the French River Rapids 6-3.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes clicked twice, 25 seconds apart, to take a 2-0 lead on goals from Dokis-Dupuis and Brandon Atkins.

The Canadians then went up by three at 15:42 as Noah Serre connected for a third consecutive outing.

French River countered less than a minute later though courtesy of Alex Paul’s second of the season.

However, Rayside-Balfour added one while shorthanded in the final moments of the stanza with Dokis-Dupuis picking up his second of the evening and 13th overall to give the guests a 4-1 cushion after 40 minutes.

Heading into the third, the Rapids pulled to within two early on thanks to Hunter Brazier’s 19th at 3:41 only to see Maltais notch his first of the night with just over nine minutes to go.

Continuing to battle, French River drew closer once more as Brazier supplied his second of the night and 20th overall to bring the home side back to within two.

Pulling their goaltender late for an extra attacker the Rapids allowed a Maltais empty net marker to round out the night’s scoring.

Benjamin Hatanaka dished out two assists to help aid the Canadians cause.

Shots on goal saw Rayside-Balfour hold the edge there as well, by a 46-38 count, with Sebastien Plamondon picking up the win while Carson Murison suffered the loss.

Game Photos courtesy of  Dal Photography