FRENCH RIVER – Backed by multi-point efforts from nine different skaters, the Hearst Lumberjacks went on to drop the French River Rapids 10-4 in a high-scoring Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League game Saturday at Noelville Arena.
The Lumberjacks gained an early edge as the scored twice before the match-up was two and a half minutes old.
Hugo Allard, bunted one in out of mid-air near the crease, and Cameron Menard, who also clicked from nearby, both converted quickly on Rapids’ netminder Matis Bureau-Morel.
Answering with two of their own, the Rapids came back to tie it.
Defenceman Nolan McVeigh picked up their initial effort on the power play as he lifted one in from the side boards that eluded Hearst goaltender William Stonehouse.
Tying it up at 12:16, a nice play chipped ahead by Tristan Kitchen allowed him to send a pass across to Lucas Campanella, who notched his initial NOJHL tally.
Retaking the lead right off the draw, McKay cranked in a blast after being set-up by Mathieu Comeau.
The markers kept coming in the second period as a total of six were supplied, including four from Hearst.
Jonah Gareau did pull the hosts even moments into the session as he hammered in an attempt after a couple of teammates chased down a loose puck in deep.
Matching that, Menard with an effort off a rebound, on a man advantage, and Jake Gawley from distance, at even strength, made it 5-3 Jacks.
Joey Stiles got his club’s fourth to bring French River back to within one at 12:42 as he found the range by snapping one past Stonehouse, while using a defender as a screen.
Hearst came back with two more to go up 7-4 after two courtesy of Mavrik Chan-Miguel, who whipped one high blocker side, and McKay, with a spinning effort that he scored on from the slot.
Capping off the victory in the third, Comeau; Allard and Mikaleb Blier finished off the road result for the Lumberjacks, as that trio all converted from close range.
The victory raises the Lumberjacks’ record to 35-13-0-3 and in a season-ending loss, the Rapids finish off at a league-low 4-46-0-2.
