Photos: Rob Fera – Points North Media
SUDBURY, Ont. – A Mason Brownlee shorthanded effort early in the third period proved to be the decider as the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners went on to double up the Blind River Beavers 4-2 Tuesday
at the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
Bagging the afternoon’s initial goal, Tysen Anderson staked the Gold Miners to an early lead as he snagged a loose puck in the neutral zone and after driving into the Beavers’ zone, took his chance to the net and lifted a backhand by Blind River netminder Ian Blair.
Answering with an equalizer at 11:39, the Beavers’ Malcolm MacRae blasted one in from the right point that sailed though bodies and into the net for his first NOJHL marker that eluded goalkeeper Morgan Hyndman.
Countering quickly, Kirkland Lake went back on top after Ben Lyons generated a turnover that allowed Lex Lamontagne to set-up Liam MacDonald who steered in the feed into the open side.
Second period action saw the Beavers connect on a two-man advantage early as Camden Cowan notched his team-leading sixth of the campaign, that came from a sharp angle, as he promptly buried a nice Ryder Hill feed that came from the high slot.
Striking while down a skater off a shot block early in the third, Brownlee came down the left wing and after entering the Blind River zone, sent a shot from a sharp angle into the net at 1:51.
Doubling their lead midway through the session, Ben Guimaraes pumped in a loose puck after a Mikaleb Blier point blast.
A solid forecheck by Kirkland Lake at the end prevented Blind River from pulling Blair for an extra attacker before time expired.
Player of the Game laurels went to the respective goaltenders, Hyndman and Blair.
