KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners scored once in each period to help them skate to a 3-1 triumph over the visiting Cochrane Crunch in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Saturday at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
Action in the opening stanza saw Patrick Murphy put the home side in front at 11:34 as he notched his seventh goal of the campaign.
Kirkland Lake then went up by a pair entry in the second compliments of Nick Wagner who picked up the eventual game-winner at 2:16 of the session.
Heading to the final frame, Cochrane cut into the deficit with just over five minutes remaining in regulation when recently acquired Nicholas Blachman scored for the second time in four outings for the Crunch to bring the guests to within one.
They then pulled their goaltender late in an effort to tie things up and force overtime, however Vinncy DeSanctis iced it with 90 seconds to go as his empty net effort sealed the win for the Gold Miners.
Kirkland Lake starter Dawson Rodin made 30 saves to pick-up the victory while Zach Wickson made 34 stops in defeat for Cochrane.
Game Photos courtesy of CapturingTheMoment.ca