NOELVILLE – A Sam Ellwood goal just past the 14-minute mark of the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners earned a narrow 2-1 triumph over the French River Rapids Friday in a low-scoring Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair at Noelville Arena.
Lucas Lyszyk’s first NOJHL goal three and a half minutes into the match-up gave Kirkland Lake the lead in what was the lone tally of the opening frame.
French River would draw level at 7:11 of the second stanza when Levi Siau struck shorthanded as the Rapids’ rookie notched his 15th marker of the season.
The Gold Miners regained the lead later in the frame however as Ellwood supplied the difference maker for the visitors as they took that slim margin into the third period.
In the final frame French River fired 14 shots on Kirkland Lake netminder Ryan Winter, but could not solve him in an effort to secure the equalizer as the visitors’ goaltender stood tall finishing with 34 stops in all to earn a well-deserved victory.
Josh Barrett meanwhile had a strong game in net for the Rapids as well as he faced 40 shots against in the narrow setback.
Photos courtesy of Dal Photography
