NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, Nov. 14, 2016
Team NOJHL falls in Eastern Canada All-Star Challenge opener
CORNWALL, Ont. – A Brady Griffin-Hefford power play goal with 5:40 to go proved to be the game-winner as Maritime Hockey League North defeated Team Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League 4-2 Monday morning in the opening game of the Eastern Canada All-Star Challenge at the Benson Centre in Cornwall, Ont.
Team NOJHL was first to score in the contest as Brandon McReynolds (Cochrane Crunch) was sent in alone on a breakaway and made no mistake lifting his attempt over top of the Maritime netminder Matt Williams at 3:25.
The MHL North came back with the equalizer midway through the first of two periods the clubs would play as Alex Lafreniere buried a rebound past NOJHL starter Nate McDonald (Powassan Voodoos) following a shot from the right point.
Sarault then capitalized for the MHL side six and a half minutes into the final stanza as he finished off a play from David Comeau who corralled a loose puck along the end boards, skated in, and fired a shot to the net that was put into the open left side.
Griffin-Hefford then made it 3-1, via the power play, as he took a cross-ice feed from Makail Parker and ripped one high over top of McDonald from the right face-off circle.
The NOJHL got one back with 4:10 to go after a steal in MHL territory that eventually saw the puck fed to an open Gary Mantz (Powassan Voodoos) who made no mistake as he calmly cut left and tucked a backhand under the outstretched pad of Williams.
They then had a good chance to tie after being awarded a late man advantage opportunity in the final minute, however Lee Dower iced it for MHL North with a shorthanded, empty net effort to round out the day’s scoring.
Next up for Team NOJHL will be a 1:20 p.m. match-up with the Central Canada Hockey League’s Robinson Division Selects at 1:20 p.m.
