Wildcats take bite out of Express

ESPANOLA, Ont. – The Elliot Lake Wildcats rode the strength of a three-goal second period goals to help them skate to a 5-1 decision over the Espanola Express Friday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at the Regional Recreation Complex.

Elliot Lake started the night’s scoring late in the first frame with Myles Cook connecting for the Wildcats at 17:50.

The visitors extended their lead 6:44 into the middle stanza thanks to Taylor Bucsis.

Espanola got one back just over four minutes later off the stick of Cole Csorbay, but the Wildcats countered with tallies from David Dedo at even strength and Dave Elford shorthanded to make it 4-1 after two periods of play.

Elliot Lake then wrapped up the scoring with the lone offensive effort of the third when Jacob Kelly notched his first of the campaign with 12:20 to go.

Allan Menary was called up on to make 32 stops in picking up the win for the Wildcats and Jacob Hutchings saw 41 shots fired his way in defeat for the Express.