The Timmins Rock saw five players collect their first NOJHL markers then had to hold-off a four-goal third period outburst by Anden Marceau of the Soo Eagles before eventually prevailing 8-5 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Sunday, September 21st affair at McIntyre Arena.
Opening the scoring 4:15 into the match-up, Rock rookie forward Jake Torres muscled his way from the side boards and proceeded to roof a shot on Eagles’ starter Jace Knoerle for his first in the NOJHL.
Adding another later in the session, Timmins picked off a clearing attempt in the Sault Ste. Marie zone and quickly worked a nice a three-way passing play that was finished off by Maxfeld Shin, who too whipped in initial league marker, leaving a diving Knoerle with no chance.
Getting one back before the first intermission, the Soo darted out in transition and saw Ethan Hoff snag the rebound on the ride side off a Carter Huckson attempt and fire it in past Rock netminder Frédéric Cousineau at 15:18.
Heading to the second stanza, the Rock went back up by a pair nearly six minutes into the session thanks to Brant Romaniuk, who pumped one bar down for his third of the campaign.
Building on that via the power play, Kaeden McArthur made it 4-1 as he took a pass from Matthew Kim, cruised into the left circle and sizzled one past Knoerle.
Not done there, the home tacked on another eight seconds later off the stick of Jack Quevillion who flipped in a knuckling puck from the centre red line that took a couple of quirky hops before bouncing in.
That resulted in a goaltending change with Dalton Hoornstra entering in relief for the Soo.
However, Timmins kept coming and went up 6-1 with Dylan Lale getting the last touch on a play in front to become the fourth Rock player to collect his initial NOJHL goal.
Getting one back in the final frame, Marceau used a defender as a screen from the left side and snapped a shot through Cousineau at 4:53.
Adding some insurance while up a skater midway through the third, Braedyn Cyr sent a one-time blast from the right point that sailed past Hoornstra.
Marceau’s second of the contest saw him click with his side on the power play as he came out from behind the net and jammed in a chance.
Not done there, Marceau tacked on two more for a four-goal day to make it interesting.
His hat trick marker saw him fly down the left wing and dash through the top of the crease and collect his third of the period.
He then bagged his fourth of the session 40 seconds later with another nighty effort as he used a toe-drag then whistled a shot upstairs.
Timmins eventually quelled the comeback with an empty netter off the stick of Evan Katic who finished off the scoring after a Shin chance off the post to pick up his first to round out the high-scoring affair.
Source: NOJHL
