GALLERY: Gold Miners skate to convincing victory over Rapids

KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners used a well-balanced attack, getting goals from seven different skaters, while Alex Elie dished out three assists in a 7-2 triumph over the French River Rapids in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up Friday at Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.

Seeing their first league action since December 7, Kirkland Lake showed little rust as they skated out a 2-0 lead after one period of play on goals from Blake Bonnar, via the power play, midway through the session and Dawson Zahorian, who was making his NOJHL debut, at 18:19.

The Gold Miners then blew it open in the middle stanza as they struck five times in less than a 10-minute soan to take control of contest.

Gregory Trudeau-Paquet’s team-leading 21st started the outburst at 5:22 while teammates Aiden Wagner, Noah Cauchi and Spencer Jones added to the onslaught in rapid succession.

Hunter Foreshew then made it 7-0 Kirkland Lake at 15:06 of the frame before French River got one back a couple shifts later thanks to Jacob Romano’s fourth of the campaign.

Moving on to the third, Reid Manning rounded out the scoring for the Rapids in the final seconds.

Gold Miners’ defenceman Quinn Schneidmiller chipped in with two assists to aid in the win.

Kirkland Lake goaltender Gregory Brassard saw 12 shots fired his way in picking up the victory for his club.

Newly acquired netminder Brody Read made his first appearance in league play for French River and suffered the loss allowing four against on 21 attempts in just over 26 minutes of work while another new goalkeeper on the squad, in Deric Rivet, saved 14 of 17 in his initial league appearance.

Photos courtesy of  CapturingTheMoment.ca