KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – It was a nice night for Nicholas Wagner as he recorded his first career two-goal game in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League as his efforts helped the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners double up the French River Rapids 6-3 Friday at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
French River did get on the board first in this one on Ryan Smith’s 11th of the season at 8:06.
Kirkland Lake countered though with quick connections courtesy of Cameron Neaylon and Zachary Frescura to put the hosts up 2-1 after one.
The Gold Miners then tacked on two more, off the sticks of Casey Gerstein, on a penalty shot, and Camille Marcoux to extend the home side’s cushion.
James Eng did get one back for the Rapids late in the session to make it 4-2 after 40 minutes.
In the third, Wagner tacked on his tallies sandwiched around one by French River’s Cooper Bowman to complete the scoring in the contest.
Kyler Campbell dished out two assists in the triumph for the winning side.
Kirkland Lake starter Kohl Reddy turned aside 29 of 32 to pick-up the victory for the Gold Miners while Ben Montgomery faced 45 shots in a losing cause for the Rapids.