KIRKLAND LAKE - The defending NOJHL champion Kirkland Lake Gold Miners kicked off their new season in a big way Friday night blasting the Mattawa Blackhawks 10-0 at The Joe.
The team came flying out of the gates and the result were three first period goals by Ryan Swain, Charles-Ettienne Bruneau-Crete and Chris Pearson.
Kirkland Lake added two more in the second stanza with a goal from Jeremy Dumont as well as a second goal from Swain.
The Miners then increased the offence in the third period with five markers from Dylan Rozen, Tristen Hazlett, Travis Hall, Luc Soares and Zach Pease.
Kirkland Lake Head Coach Marc Lafleur, while pleased with the win stated people should not read anything into the high score. He stated a big factor in the overwhelming win was the fact this was Mattawa’s third game in three nights. He added if this had been their first game he feels it would have been a much different story.
It should also be noted Mattawa took a large number of penalties and the Gold Miners went five for 12 on the power play. The Blackhawks on the other hand were 0-for-5.
Kenny Fitzgerald picked up the win between the pipes.
