FRENCH RIVER – Joshua Shears supplied his opening two tallies in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Saturday as part of a 4-3 victory by the French River Rapids over the Espanola Express at Noelville Arena.
Neither side would connect offensively in the first period as the two sides headed to the intermission knotted at 0-0.
There was plenty of offensive production in the middle session however with the clubs combining for six goals, including a four-spot put up by French River.
Shears started the outburst at 2:46 while Cooper Bowman made it 2-0 Rapids a couple shifts later.
Regrouping, the Express scored twice in just over a minute to level the proceedings on a William Whelton man advantage marker following quickly by a Bradley Brunet even strength effort.
Countering, Shears made it 3-2 French River midway through the session while Alex Paul collected the eventual game-winner late in the stanza.
Espanola did get one back on a Josh Boucher power play goal with 11 minutes remaining, but the Rapids held on from there to earn their opening victory of the young season.
Shots on net ended up 40-31 in favour of the Rapids with Sebastian Woods picking up the win while Joel Rainville suffered the narrow defeat.
Game Photos courtesy of Dal Photography
