NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016
Strong start helps Iroquois Falls hold off French River
IROQUOIS FALLS, Ont. – The Iroquois Falls Eskis erupted for four first period goals then withstood a furious French River Rapids comeback bid before eventually prevailing 7-5 Wednesday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Jus Jordan Arena.
Shadow Reuben’s third of the young season sent the home side on their way just past the six-minute mark of the opening stanza.
Iroquois Falls added another three minutes later courtesy of Jordan Picard.
Phil Caron joined Picard with their initial NOJHL tallies as he made it 3-0 with a man advantage marker at 14:36.
The Eskis then added another before the session was complete thanks to Riley Wagner.
Dillan Bruce kept it going to Iroquois Falls in the second as he collected his first of the campaign at 15:08.
Battling back, French River got going before the period was done with Chris Atanas connecting on the power play at 18:14.
It was more Rapids early in the third as Kaden Hintz and Patrick Musico both notched their first of the season a couple shifts apart to make it a 6-3 game.
Kyle Sutherland countered for the Eskis at 12:25, but the relentless Rapids answered that 23 seconds after that thanks to Gregory Trudeau-Paquet picking up his first league goal.
Pressing the attack, French River kept coming and pulled to within one with 3:15 remaining in regulation as Caleb Rich struck unassisted with the clubs playing four skaters aside.
Removing their netminder in the final minute in favour of an extra attacker, it was the Eskis’ Picard who iced it as he knocked in his second of the evening as he scored into an empty net to round things out.
David Stickney and Alex Mitsionis aided the winners’ offensive cause by dishing out two assists apiece while Brayden Crowe did likewise for French River.
Shots on goal in the contest were 38-38 with Trevor Hawkes picking up the win for the Eskis.
Scott Adams started for French River and played one period allowing four against on 16 attempts.
Al Rogers suffered the loss in relief saving 19 of 20 along the way.
