FRENCH RIVER – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners broke open a one-goal game with four unanswered third period markers as they pulled out an eventual 6-2 victory over the French River Rapids in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League encounter Friday at Noelville Arena.
French River was quick out of the gate, opening the night’s scoring 33 seconds in thanks to Alex Paul.
Kirkland Lake countered with the equalizer late in the first frame as Leonidas Mihalochristas notching his first of the season, which came at 19:19.
Moving on to the middle stanza, the Rapids regained the lead 3:50 in as Ty Chambers picked up his 18th overall as he also extended a point streak to six straight outings.
Answering again, the Gold Miners drew level once more with Caleb Thompson tying it with still over a half a game to play.
They then took their initial lead of the night in the third thanks to Max Newnam at 4:19.
Coming right back, the guests tacked on another a couple of shifts later with Jacob Hiltz extending the cushion as he deposited his 10th.
Newnam then tallied twice more in the latter stages of the match-up, including an empty netter, to notch his first career NOJHL hat trick.
Kyle McNair made 41 saves to pick up the win for Kirkland Lake while Sebastian Woods saw 35 shots fired his way in defeat.
Game Photos courtesy of Dal Photography