ESPANOLA, Ont. – The Elliot Lake Wildcats picked up a hat trick and an assist from Evan Spencer en route to a 7-1 triumph over the Espanola Express Saturday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at the Regional Recreation Complex.
A trio of tallies in the opening frame sent the Wildcats on their way as Brett Crook and Jacob Kelly scored at even strength while Spencer had his first during a power play chance.
Joel Grandbois got one back for the Express at 3:44 of the second only to see Spencer strike once more a minute later to put Elliot Lake back up by three.
The Wildcats then put the game away later in the session as they tacked on three more before the period was complete to finish off the night’s scoring thanks to markers from Spencer, shorthanded, as well as another from Kelly and Nick Long’s 14th of the season.
Crook also collected three assists to join Spencer with a four-point night while teammate William Bucsis had a couple of helpers.
Allan Menary made 21 saves to pick up the win for the Wildcats.
Jacob Hutchings suffered the loss allowing six against on 25 shots with Adam Scott handling 11 of 12 in relief.