Game Photos: Marc-André Longval
HEARST, Ont. – Ryan Glazer notched a pair of third period goals, including the game-winner, as part of a 6-4 triumph by the Hearst Lumberjacks over the French River Rapids Saturday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Claude Larose Recreation Centre.
The home side converted on the night’s initial man advantage opportunity with Robbie Rutledge redirecting a Jaden Raad shot from the point five minutes into the proceedings.
It stayed that way until 8:44 into the second stanza when Chase Lefebvre converted on a turnover as he slammed in his 14th of the campaign to knot the affair at 1-1.
French River kept coming and took the lead less than a minute later thanks to Adam Boucher who whipped one in through a screen as he moved in from the left point.
The Lumberjacks did tie it late in the frame though as Carson Cox connected at 19:30, moments after Hearst goaltender Liam Oxner made a magnificent save from close range which allowed Zachary Demers to dart up the ice and send a pass back to Cox who wired one past the Rapids’ Cole Sheffield.
In an action-packed third, which saw a half dozen goals scored, Glazer got his first of the session at 5:37 when he was left with a tap in off a splendid rush by Raphael Lajeunesse.
However, French River came right back right after that to tie it at 3-3 as a rebound hit the chest of Josh Russell and bounced past Oxner.
Up a skater with just over eight minutes to go, Rutledge put the home side back on top as he got a piece of Demers’ shot from the right point.
Glazer then provided the eventual difference maker with 3:41 to go as he made a couple of nifty moves then zipped a low shot into the bottom left corner under the pad of Sheffield.
Refusing to quit, French River’s Leo Chambers clicked a minute and a half later while having an extra attacker as he took a nice pass from Levi Siau and snapped one into the open side.
Getting their goalie out once more as the Rapids tried to force overtime, but did not produce the result they wanted as Mason Bazaluk scored into an empty net just before time expired to finish the outcome.
Demers finished with three assists for the Lumberjacks.
Shots on goal favoured Hearst 38-29 with Oxner getting the win while Sheffield suffered the defeat.