COCHENOUR, Ont. – The English River Miners broke open a one-goal game with four unanswered third period tallies to defeat the Minnesota Iron Rangers 7-2 Friday in Superior International Junior Hockey League play at Cochenour Arena.
Minnesota did get off to a good start notching the night’s opening marker 57 seconds in thanks to Mark Sanchez, who notched his 18th goal of the season.
English River tied it as a Kyle Rosolowski man advantage shot bounced off Landon Russell and went in at 4:30 before Stratton Pickett gave the home side the lead three and a half minutes later.
Michael Di Lullo then put the Miners up 3-1 at 14:53 of the middle frame.
The Iron Rangers answered that however a couple shifts later when Joel Nagy was awarded a penalty shot and he made no mistake as he beat English River netminder Michael Lenko to bring the visitors to within one entering the third.
There however the Miners put the game way thanks to the four straight goals to win going away.
Mark Ziobro’s shorthanded effort started the barrage before Spencer Milne, at even strength, made it 5-2.
Rosolowski during a the power play at 15:23 and Jacob Siebenga with the teams even a minute and a half later capped off the Miners’ victory.
Ethan Wong had a solid night for the home side finishing with three assists while Rosolowski and Matt O’Neill both had a pair of helpers.
English River outshot Minnesota 44-21 on the night with Lenko picking up his 10th win of the season while Rob Ivy suffered the loss.
The same two teams meet again Saturday at 7:30 p.m. back at Cochenour Arena.
Photo credit: Patrick Boucha