Rock wins 7th straight with Showcase-opening triumph vs. Canadians

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The surging Timmins Rock racked up their seventh consecutive victory Tuesday afternoon after defeating the Rayside-Balfour Canadians 4-1 in the opening game of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase being held at Big Bear Arena.

After a scoreless opening frame, Timmins pressed the pace in the middle stanza and were rewarded were a trio of tallies three and a half minutes apart to go up 3-0.

Brendan Boyce started the outburst, knocking in a rebound off a David Laroche attempt at 13:24 before Josh Anderson collected his fourth of the campaign just 16 second later.

The Rock then got one more off the stick of captain Derek Seguin to extend the lead.

Rayside-Balfour did get one back before the session was complete with Gavin Brown banging one home from close range at 17:23, with help from Joel Mongeon and Nicholas DeGrazia.

Heading to the third period, Timmins capped off the victory compliments of Karter Renouf a couple minutes into the final frame.

The Rock also held the edge in shots by a 39-29 count with Vance Meyer picking up the win while David Bowen suffered the loss for the Canadians.