ESPANOLA, Ont. – The Espanola Express picked up a goal in each period as they went on to defeat the Elliot Lake Wildcats 3-1 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Friday at the Regional Recreation Complex.
Espanola got things going offensively near the seven-minute mark of the match-up when Matais Salem notched his first NOJHL tally to put the home side in front.
The Express then went up by a pair 14:45 into the middle session when Connor Tessier collected his first of the season.
Elliot Lake cut into the deficit 9:23 into the third when Cole Burton collected his second of the season to bring the visitors to within one.
However, Espanola wrapped it up in the late going as Bret McInall connected with just over seven seconds left to round out the night’s scoring and give the home side the win.
Diego Pasula had two assists to aid the Express offensively.
Joel Rainville in the Espanola net turned aside 55 of the 36 shots he faced to record the win while Justin Vertesi of the Wildcats made 28 stops in defeat.