Sunday in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) featured a series of dramatic games, with multiple teams staging impressive comebacks and newcomers making a mark on the scoresheet.
Soo Thunderbirds cruise past French River Rapids
The Soo Thunderbirds secured a decisive 7-1 victory over the French River Rapids. The Thunderbirds’ offense was led by Deven Jones-McDonald, who scored two goals, including the game-winner.
The Thunderbirds started strong, with James Legler scoring early in the first period. French River’s Armando Rojo Bolton tied the game on the power play in the second, but Jones-McDonald responded with a go-ahead goal just moments later.
In the third period, the Thunderbirds pulled away. Max DeCoff extended the lead before Jones-McDonald scored his second of the game on a five-on-three power play. Newcomers Creegan Tompkins, Gianmarco Mastroianni, and Adam Pszeniczny each recorded their first career NOJHL goals, with the latter two coming on empty-net efforts to cap off the scoring.
Storm mounts late comeback to edge Beavers
In a thrilling finish, the Iroquois Falls Storm overcame a two-goal, third-period deficit to defeat the Blind River Beavers 4-3.
After a scoreless first period, Blind River took control in the second with goals from Leighton Hurst and Camden Cowan, who scored twice on the power play. Iroquois Falls’ Benjamin Coupal responded with a power-play goal of his own, making it a 3-1 game heading into the third.
The Storm’s comeback began with Coupal’s second goal of the game, an even-strength tally that made it a one-goal game. Alexandre St. Pierre tied the score with five minutes left, and Lucas Peever scored the game-winner at 16:03. The Storm held off a late push from the Beavers to secure their second straight comeback victory.
Timmins outlasts Soo in high-scoring affair
The Timmins Rock held off a late push from the Soo Eagles to win 8-5 in a high-scoring affair. Five different Timmins players recorded their first career NOJHL goals in the win.
Timmins jumped out to a 6-1 lead through two periods, with goals from rookies Jake Torres, Maxfeld Shin, Jack Quevillion, and Dylan Lale. Brant Romaniuk and Kaeden McArthur also scored for the Rock. The Eagles’ lone goal came from Ethan Hoff.
The third period saw a remarkable comeback attempt by Soo’s Anden Marceau, who scored four goals in the final frame to make it a competitive game. However, a late empty-net goal from Timmins’ Evan Katic, his first in the league, sealed the victory for the Rock.