KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – A couple of first-year Kirkland Lake Gold Miners’ players collected their initial Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League goals to help aid in a 4-1 victory over the Cochrane Crunch Tuesday evening at Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
Kirkland Lake got going offensively 15:45 into the first period as Caleb Thompson notched his initial NOJHL marker to give the home side a 1-0 cushion after 20 minutes.
The Gold Miners then got another early in the second stanza as Landis Antonic picked up his first tally in league play at 1:20 to put the hosts up by a pair.
It stayed 2-0 for the home side until 11:56 of the third period when the Cochrane power play connected on Matthew Minichiello’s fourth goal of the young season to cut into the deficit.
Countering though, Antonic added his second of the evening with 3:15 remaining in remaining to put the hosts back up by a pair.
They then sealed the home ice triumph in the final minute thanks to captain Quinn Schneidmiller, as he converted on a late man advantage to round out the night’s proceedings.
Antonic had an assist on the Schneidmiller play, giving him three points on the night.
Chipping in with a pair of helpers was the Gold Miners’ Cameron Neaylon.
Kirkland Lake goaltender Kyle McNair also did his part in the triumph, making 52 saves on the night as he won his second straight start for his club.
Crunch netminder Cody Levesque, making his NOJHL debut in goal for Cochrane, faced 39 shots in defeat for his side.
Game Photos courtesy of CapturingTheMoment.ca