NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016
Grandbois great as Express derail Eagles
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Espanola Express got three goals from rookie forward Joel Grandbois as he registered his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League hat trick Saturday as he led the Espanola Express to a 5-3 win over the Soo Eagles at Pullar Stadium.
Sault Ste. Marie did get off to a good start netting the game’s opening tally 47 seconds in courtesy of Alex DiBacco.
Espanola countered with Grandbois’ initial two tallies at 11:22 and 13:47 to give the Express a 2-1 lead through one period of play.
Jacob Hernandez tied it for the Eagles four minutes into the middle session, but Grandbois answered once again for the Express three and a half minutes later to put the visitors back in front.
Espanola’s Ian Thompson then notched the eventual game-winner 60 seconds after that to give them a 4-2 lead and came right back with another less than half minute that to put the Express up by three entering the third period.
Roman Gaudet’s 13th at 6:53 of the final frame brought the home side to within two, but that’s as close as they would get before time expired.
Tyler King also had a big night for Espanola dishing out three assists for his club.
Kevin Labelle made 25 saves to pick-up the win in the Express net.
Jack Deines started for the Soo and played one period allowing two against on 13 shots.
Jack Hickey went the rest of the way in relief for the Eagles and suffered the loss allowing three against on 13 attempts.
