KIRKLAND LAKE - Ryan Aubertin scored a goal and added three assists to lead the Gold Miners to a 7-1 win over the Abitibi Eskimos at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex Friday night.
The home side jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Steven Babin and Tristen Hazlett and never looked back.
Goals by Aubertin, Luc Soares and Conner Thie in the middle frame increased the home side’s advantage to 5-0.
Jeremy Dumont increased the Gold Miners lead to 6-0 and Thie netted his second goal of the game before the Eskimos were finally able to get on the scoreboard with less than five minutes to play in the third period.
Brady Clouthier’s goal spoiled the shutout bid of Gold Miners goalie Josh Erickson.
Erickson registered 23 saves while picking up the victory.
Ryan Ferguson, making his first start in the Eskimos net, turned aside 29 of the 36 shots the Gold Miners fired his way.
The Eskimos will return home to face the Powassan Voodoos at the Jus Jordan Arena Saturday night, while the Gold Miners entertain the Cochrane Crunch at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
Game time for both contests is 7:30 p.m.