Photos: Allyson Demers
KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – A Noah Szczurek marker in the final minute of regulation propelled the French River Rapids to a 4-3 road result over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners Friday night during a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League get together at Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
Dominic Bzdyl put the visiting Rapids in front 5:17 into the proceedings as he snapped in a feed in front from the end boards by Cameron Jansa, who worked to free the puck and set-up the marker.
Bzdyl then added another late in the opening period during a man advantage as he powered his way down the left wing, and after splitting the defence, picked the short-side corner on Kirkland Lake goaltender Mason Janicki.
Heading to the middle session, the Gold Miners got one back off the stick of Graham Rooney at 2:13 as he benefitted from the diligence of teammate Aaron Leenars, who generated a play into the slot, where Rooney wired his chance into the top shelf.
Tying it up midway through the game, Brendon Hammer converted on a four-on-three as he drove hard down the left side, before going to the net and tucking one through French River’s Brock Grein.
Retaking the lead, Bzdyl completed his first NOJHL hat trick, that came during a power play, when he spun and fired an attempt towards the target that clipped off the skate of a defender and slid in at 17:22.
Moving to the third, Kirkland Lake drew even once again thanks to Jordan Fitger’s 10th tally of the season as he knuckled one through a partially screened Grein.
However, with overtime looming, Szczurek got the late game-winner at 19:10 as he steered in a pass from Olivier Guillot-Storr while driving to the top of the crease.
The result raises the Rapids record to 9-18-1-2 and with the narrow setback, the Gold Miners drop to 2-27-0-2.
