GALLERY: Johnson stops 36 as French River defeats Hearst

FRENCH RIVER – French River Rapids netminder Chase Johnson turned in a solid 36-save performance to help backstop his club to a 4-1 victory over the Hearst Lumberjacks in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Saturday at Noelville Arena.

Down a man late in the opening frame, it was the Rapids’ Ryan Smith who struck shorthanded at 19:22 to put the home side in front.

Heading to the middle stanza, French River tallied twice before the session was seven and a half minutes old on even strength markers from Benjamin Naimool and Will Frustaglio.

It was more Rapids deep into the second as they saw Naimool strike again at 19:28 to go up by four after two.

Hearst finally solved Johnson with just over seven minutes remaining off a David Gobeil effort.

However, the French River netminder did not allow another in earning the home ice decision.

Liam Oxner started for the Lumberjacks and suffered the loss, allowing the four against on 31 attempts in two periods of work, while Rahul Bola handled all six shots he saw in relief.

James Eng aided the Rapids cause with two assists.

Game Photos courtesy of  Dal Photography