Photos: Allyson Demers
KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – The Elliot Lake Red Wings skated out to an early three-goal lead, then withstood a rally by the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners, before skating to an eventual 6-3 triumph in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Friday at Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
Alex Antoine got the guests going at 5:17 of the first period when Brodie Kearns snagged the puck at the Kirkland Lake blueline and moved in alone with Alex Antoine, who he sent a nice pass over to, which allowed him to lift past a sprawling Braydon Garnhart in the Gold Miners’ net.
Kearns then scored one for himself off a turnover and saw him lift in a back hand from close range.
A third Elliot Lake marker came on the next shift as they saw Evan Dantas be the beneficiary of yet another defensive miscue as he spun in the slot and slid in a low shot.
Battling back, the Gold Miners with a pair of goals before the intermission beginning with Nikolas Joniec man advantage tally for his first in the NOJHL as he snapped one in from the high slot.
Matthew Hill then made 3-2 after one as he scored his second of the season with help from Alex McDonald.
The hosts then drew level at 8:49 into the middle session for a third straight tally for his club as a low shot from the left point by Michael Sulmona appeared to clip off the skate of John-Paul Scaringi and get past Elliot Lake netminder Cameron Smith.
Regrouping however, Devin Shoreman put the Red Wings back in front for good at 16:51 of the second which proved to be the eventual game-winner.
It was then more from Antoine late in the session as his second of the evening came on the power play at 19:17.
A Zachary Vickerman extra man marker with under eight minutes remaining in regulation secured the road decision for Elliot Lake.
The win for Smith was his second of the season while Garnhart suffered the loss.