TIMMINS, Ont. – Some solid goaltending from Tristan Boileau and a Damien Bourdon-Lemoyne power play goal in the back half of the third period proved to be the difference as the Hearst Lumberjacks defeated the Timmins Rock, 3-2 Tuesday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at McIntyre Arena.
After a number of early quality saves by Boileau, it was the visiting Lumberjacks who began the scoring midway through the opening frame.
On the tally, William Pâquet banged in a rebound off the pad of Rock starter Patrick Boivin, after a shot from the left point by Mikaleb Blier.
A late man advantage helped the guests take a 2-0 lead to the intermission as Alex McDonald worked his way free at the top of the crease and whipped in a loose puck off a DonHeaven Veilleux attempt from along the right side of the goal line at 18:51.
Timmins came back late in the second stanza to make it a one-goal game when Harry Clark lifted in a backhand with 20 seconds in the remaining in the session.
The goal also brought down a steady stream toques, mitts and scarves that flooded onto the ice as part of the Rock’s annual promotion to assist those in need, within the community, stay warm.
Heading to the third period, some rough stuff resulted in multiple infractions being penalized by the officials.
After that, the home side tied it with a shorthanded marker, when Nolan Ring scooped up a turnover and got it to Hayden Rynard, who fired his chance high over the glove of Boileau.
Still on a lengthy man advantage though, the Lumberjacks retook the lead at 12:56 as Bourdon-Lemoyne jammed in a loose puck during a flurry of activity around the Timmins net.
Boileau then shut the door the rest of the way, withstanding a late Timmins man advantage as well as having Boivin out for an extra attacker, to collect the road victory.
The triumph helped Hearst improve to 17-11-3-2 on the season, while stopping a six-game Rock winning streak, who dropped to 22-10-2-0.
The NOJHL now enters its holiday break, with league play resuming Thursday, January 4, 2024, as the Greater Sudbury Cubs host the Espanola Paper Kings in a 7:05 p.m. start at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex and on FLOHockey.tv.
Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
