File photo: Northern Exposures Photography
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Riding the solid shutout goaltending of Jack Helkie, the Espanola Paper Kings blanked the Elliot Lake Vikings 2-0 Saturday afternoon as part of a four-team Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League preseason set taking place at John Rhodes Community Centre.
A chippy first period prevented much flow from happening in a scoreless frame, in a session that featured multiple infractions being called by the officials.
In the second stanza, Espanola was quick to strike as Luke Hill generated a rush into the Elliot Lake zone, which led him to eventually stuffing in a wrap around on goalkeeper Ryder Lally, 34 seconds in.
The Paper Kings power play then went to work right after that and saw Carter Drigo use a defender as a partial screen and whip a shot from the top of the left circle into the right corner.
Moving to the final frame, play opened up with quality chances generated at both ends of the ice, however the netminders remained sharp.
With it still a two-goal game late, Elliot Lake got Lally out with over two minutes to play for an extra skater, however Espanola stayed strong defensively to secure the win.
Next up for the Vikings will be 6:30 p.m. contest versus the Soo Thunderbirds while the Paper Kings meet the Soo Eagles at 8:30 p.m., back at John Rhodes.
