GALLERY: Espanola tops Kirkland Lake

Photos: Allyson Demers

KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – A couple of Kaden Wicklander markers helped pace the Espanola Paper Kings past the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 6-2 Sunday afternoon in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League matinee at Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.

The Gold Miners struck early with Aaron Leenars notching his first NOJHL goal, with a shorthanded effort 1:47 into the match-up as he came down the left wing and while using a defender as a screen, whipped a shot past the blocker of Espanola starter James Meredith.

After Kirkland Lake could not control the puck in their own zone, it allowed the visitors to notch a late equalizer that saw Ashton Pitawanakwat beat netminder Kael Moberg from the right side with three seconds remaining in the period.

Moving to the middle stanza, the Paper Kings went in front as Wicklander connected at 5:45 as he picked the corner on Moberg while using a pair of opposing players as a screen.

The home side came back to tie it thanks to Evan Snyder’s initial league marker as he lifted in a close-range backhand.

Retaking the lead a couple of shifts later, Cameron Menard made it 3-2 as he was eventually credited with a goal that had gone in and out and saw play carry on until the tally was ultimately awarded.

Luke Hill then put the guests up by a pair as he powered his way out from the corner and while cutting through the crease lifted in a backhand.

Adding some insurance in the back half of the third, Carter Drigo snapped in a one-timer off a cross-ice feed from Nathan Marincola with seven and a half minutes to play.

Wicklander then put it away for the Paper Kings after neatly weaving through traffic in the left circle before smartly pick the top short-side corner to cap things off.