The Lumberjacks left the hometown fans happy Sunday afternoon coming out 4-1 winners behind a slew of offence from some fresh faces.
AlmostĀ 700 Lumberjack fans packed into Claude Larose Arena for the Home and Season Opener to the 2018/19 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season Sunday vs the French River Rapids and hopefully receivedĀ a taste of what is to come in the season ahead as Jake Desando’s pair of snipes put the ‘Jacks into the win column.
However, Hearst did not get off to a good start, falling behind a 1:28 into the opening frame when the Rapids pounced on an early opportunity thanks to returning Forward Marc-Andre Quevillon’s first goal of the new year.
Hearst fans though did not have to wait long for their answer. Less than :45 seconds later new-comingĀ Forward George Young from Stephenville, Newfoundland potted his first as a ‘Jack to tie things up.
Five minutes later the offence struck again as another new name in Forward Jake Desando of London, Ontario put the ‘Jacks ahead with his first NOJHL marker. However, a game misconduct gave a solid first period a sour taste for Hearst when Defenceman Garret Giertuga was given a five-minute major for boarding with just under two minutes to play.
The second period though saw some terrific penalty killing to open the frame before Desando continued to make his case as a new fan favourite when he scored his second of the game and first for the ‘Jacks on the man advantage.
Hearst was able to hold the two-goal cushion through the end of the frame and into the third where they added another near the midway point of the period thanks to another new face in Terrebonne, Quebec native William Page, and with that, the ‘Jacks would not look back.
Hearst finished the game a perfect 9 for 9 killing penalties, and was 1 for 10 with the man advantage, leaving some positives but also some work ahead for returning Head Coach Marc Lafleur.
The ‘Jacks next contest will also be their first away from home taking place this Friday against the always formidable Powassan Voodoos, with puck drop set for 7:00pm at the Powassan Sportsplex. The Voodoos are already a perfect 2-0 following wins at home and on the road this weekend.
