FRENCH RIVER – The Espanola Express broke open a tie game with a pair of third period goals to help them earn their initial Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory of the season Saturday as they rallied to double up the French River Rapids 4-2 at Noelville Arena.
Chad Lafortune got French River going by notching the night’s opening tally 5:53 into the contest with his first of the season.
Espanola got that back though late in the frame when Mitchell Lee picked up his first NOJHL goal, which he scored at 18:02.
The Rapids did go back on top six and a half minutes into the middle session compliments of Marc-Andre Quevillion only to see Bret McInal level the proceedings at 11:46 as he tallied for a second straight outing.
Moving on to the final frame, Chase Lammi collected the eventual game-winner with 8:17 left in regulation.
Teammate Lukas Lyszyk then added some insurance 58 seconds later to help secure the road triumph.
Zachary Matyasik chipped in with two assists for Espanola.
Ryan Hale turned in a solid 41-save performance to record the win for Espanola while stopped 37 in defeat for French River.
Photos courtesy of Dal Photography
