TIMMINS, Ont. – A Christopher Engelbert goal, off a nice feed from Nicolas Pigeon, 3:20 into overtime was the difference as the Timmins Rock pulled out a narrow 2-1 win over the Hearst Lumberjacks in a well-played Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair Sunday at McIntyre Arena.
A hard-checking opening 20 minutes saw goaltenders Matteo Gennaro of Hearst and Gavin McCarthy hold firm in a scoreless session.
It stayed deadlocked past the midway point of the contest before the Rock clicked on the power play as Riley Brosseau corralled the rebound off a left point shot by Cameron Dutkiewicz and had a couple of stabs at the puck from the left of the crease before stuffing it in for his second tally in as many outings.
On a man advantage themselves early in the third, the Lumberjacks drew level as Mason Bazaluk jammed in his first NOJHL goal while parked to the left of McCarthy off Hearst defenceman Jaden Raad’s attempt towards the net from inside the blueline, on the right.
Heading to extra time, Timmins secured the victory after Pigeon powered his way to the net from the right side and with one hand on his stick, chipped the puck in front to an open Engelbert who snapped the game-winner past Gennaro from the top of the crease as he picked the left-hand corner.
McCarthy made 24 saves to pick up the win for Timmins while Gennaro had 27 stops helping Hearst earn a point in defeat.
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Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
