Lavergne, Smith aid Express in win over Rapids

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016

Lavergne, Smith aid Express in win over Rapids

NOELVILLE, Ont. – Dominik Laverge had a hat trick while Patrick Smith helped set-up all five of his team’s goals as the Espanola Express rolled past the French River Rapids 5-1 Saturday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at Noelville Arena.

Espanola got off to a good start in this one grabbing a 2-0 lead on power play markers by MacKenzie Aiken and Mitchal Payette.

The man advantage allowed the Express to go up by three after 40 minutes when Lavergne picked up his first at 11:37 with his side up a skater.

French River made it 3-1 near the five-minute mark of the third as Taylor Karr collected his fourth of the campaign as the Rapids were on the power play.

Lavergne erased any doubt of a comeback by the home team as he finished off his three-tally night with a pair of later efforts to round out the night’s scoring.

Charlie Venedam dished out three assists to help the Express out offensively.

Kevin Labelle handled 24 of the 25 attempts he had to handle in earning the victory for Espanola.

Zach Mills saw 43 shots fired his way in the loss for French River.