NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, Sept. 12, 2016
Photo credit: Chris Dawson
Gold Miners victorious over Voodoos in battle of early NOJHL unbeatens
POWASSAN, Ont. – Victor-Olivier Courchesne turned in an impressive 52-save performance in net while Ashton Amaya scored once and assisted on the game-winner as the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners defeated the Powassan Voodoos 3-1 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Monday in an early battle of unbeaten clubs at the Powassan Sportsplex.
The visiting Gold Miners got off to the start they were looking for grabbing a two-goal cushion after one period of play on markers a minute and a half apart by Damian Carigni shorthanded for his first NOJHL tally and William Miziuk at even strength.
Andy Baker put Powassan on the board at 7:40 of the second stanza only to see Amaya come right back and restore Kirkland Lake’s margin just after the midway point of the game, which spelled the end of Voodoos starter Owen Liskiewicz’s night in favour of Nate McDonald.
Courchesne stood tall from there the rest of the way in picking up the win and was solid throughout for the Gold Miners including making 20 saves in the second period alone.
Liskiewicz suffered the setback for Powassan allowing the three against on 12 shots while McDonald handled all 15 attempts he saw in nearly 30 minutes of relief.
The league’s leading point producer, Kevin Ford, dished out two assists for the Gold Miners.
With the result Kirkland Lake improves to 3-0 early in the season while the Voodoos slipped to 2-1.
The three Stars were, #3 Damian Caringi, #2 Chevy Ford & the 1st Star, Victor-Olivier Courchesne.
NOJHL action resumes Wednesday as the Iroquois Falls Eskis entertain the French River Rapids in a 7:30 p.m. start at Jus Jordan Arena.
