GALLERY: Special teams send Hearst past French River

FRENCH RIVER – The Hearst Lumberjacks power play was clicking on all cylinders Saturday as they scored five times on the man advantage to help them best the French River Rapids 5-3 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Noelville Arena.

Maxim Lacroix opened the scoring for Hearst midway through the first frame with his side’s initial extra man effort.

Ryan Gallant’s first NOJHL goal tied it for the Rapids during a man advantage opportunity of their own at 16:51, but the Lumberjacks regained the lead a couple shifts later thanks to Max Griffioen.

Levi Siau drew French River level with the lone marker of the middle session to knot the affair at 2-2 after 40 minutes.

An early Hearst power play in the third helped them take the lead once more as Lacroix bagged his second of the evening.

Up a skater once more, Raphael Lecours notched the eventual game-winner at 7:22.

The home side did pull to within one during another man advantage chance with A.J. Favot joining the league’s first goal club with 8:19 remaining.

However, Griffioen picked up Hearst’s fifth power play tally of the night with just under four minutes to go in helping secure the road victory.

Jake Desando had three assists for the Lumberjacks while Lecours and Lacroix chipped in with a couple helpers each.

Nicholas Tallarico finished with 31 saves to pick up the win for Hearst while Kevin Tardif faced 29 shots in a losing cause for the Rapids.

Photos courtesy of  Dal Photography