TIMMINS, Ont. – Riding the one-goal and multi-assist performance from forward Kaeden McArthur, the Timmins Rock went on to down the Elliot Lake Vikings 8-3 Sunday afternoon in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at McIntyre Arena, in front of 1,035 fans.
Moments into the matinee’s initial power play, Timmins took the lead when Hayden Rynard redirected in a Felix Cadieux-Fredette left point shot that got past Elliot Lake starter Sam Keene at 2:02.
Adding another right off a face off, Rock affiliate forward Ian Lachance secured the draw won by Henry McLellan and quickly whipped in his initial NOJHL tally.
Countering right after that, Gavin McLenaghan put the Vikings on the board 12 seconds later as he split the Timmins defence and while being taken down on a delayed penalty, notched his team-leading 25th marker, in eluding goalkeeper Dryden Riley.
Regrouping, the Rock went up 3-1 at 7:56 when Liam Wells reached the 30-goal plateau as he took a drop pass from McArthur in the left circle and ripped it upstairs on Keene.
Second period play saw another early effort feature Travis Poan collect his first league marker as he lifted one high on the downed Elliot Lake goaltender at 1:34.
Extending their cushion, Brant Romaniuk went in and make a crafty move to his left and slid in his 22nd into the open side.
A two-man advantage helped the visitors get one back with Anthony Bertrand tucking in a rebound after an Owen Kahl attempt from up high.
Answering that with the teams skating four aside, McArthur drove hard into the Elliot Lake end and sent a perfect pass across to defenceman Tenzin Nyman, who steered it in from close range.
Romaniuk then finished off another McArthur feed at 16:48 to help the Rock break it open.
Wrapping it up in the third, the duo reversed the set-up with McArthur guiding in a backhand off a Romaniuk pass.
David Parker got one more for Elliot Lake as he came down the right wing and sent a laser high over the shoulder of Riley to wrap-up the scoring.
The win sees the Rock wrap-up their regular season with a record of 41-15-2-0, while in defeat, the Vikings concluded their campaign at 5-48-1-4.
Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
