VIDEO / GALLERY: Rock blank Gold Miners in first half of home-and-home series

Timmins Rock blue-liner Brandon Rossetti goes down to one knee as he drills a shot off the post to the right of Kirkland Lake Gold Miners goalie Braydon Garnhart during the first period of Friday night’s NOJHL contest at the McIntyre Arena. While Rossetti was denied on this play, his scored his fourth goal of the season during the second period to help lead the Rock to a 5-0 win over the Gold Miners. THOMAS PERRY/THE DAILY PRESS

The Timmins Rock continued their dominance of the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners by blanking their East Division rivals 5-0 in NOJHL action at the McIntyre Arena Friday night.


Thomas Perry
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network


TIMMINS – The Timmins Rock continued their dominance of the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners by blanking their East Division rivals 5-0 in NOJHL action at the McIntyre Arena Friday night.

It was the first half of a home-and-home series that will see the Rock visit the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex on Saturday, at 7 p.m.

Rock goalie Jacob Brown stopped all 11 shots he faced to tie Blind River Beavers netminder Charlie Burns for the NOJHL lead in shutouts, with five.

Brady Harroun, who trails only Greater Sudbury Cubs sniper Pierson Sobush for the NOJHL lead in goals, netted a pair of tallies to pace the offence for the Rock.

His first of the night and 27th of the season, 5:29 into the opening period, would stand up to be the game-winning goal.

Liam Wells added his 16th goal of the season nine minutes later to send the Rock to the dressing room for the first intermission holding a 2-0 advantage.

Harroun netted a power-play marker, his second goal of the night and 28th of the season, 1:14 into the second period.

Rock Captain Nicolas Pigeon, who had three helpers on the night, earned his 50th assists on the play.

Blue-liner Brandon Rossetti followed with his fourth goal of the season seven-and-a-half minutes later.

And Ethan Pool closed out the scoring when he notched his fourth goal of the season with just under seven minutes remaining in the middle frame.

“I built up some speed in our own zone and got some crossovers going, then once I got the little opening I took it and slid the puck past the goalie five-hole,” he said.

It was Pool’s first game since Dec. 20 and he also added an assist in the contest.

“It felt unreal, just being back with the guys,” he said.

“It is good, knowing I am skating at 100 per cent now, and that I am healthy and able to help out wherever I am needed in the lineup.”

Pool played on a line with Yan Bessette and Liam Wells Friday night, forming a unit that brought both speed and physicality to the contest.

“It is easy when you have linemates like them, because the play with speed and pace,” he said.

“Wells and Bessette both throw the body a lot. They are heavy hitters and fast skaters.

“We have good chemistry off the ice, as well.”

Pool notes it is a lot more fun play with Bessette, whom the Rock re-acquired from the Espanola Paper Kings at the Jan. 10 trade deadline, than against him.

“He is a really good guy and, like I said, we have good chemistry off the ice.”

After a number of injuries in the first half of the regular season, Pool is hoping to be able to stay healthy in the second half of the campaign and into the playoffs.

In addition to picking up his fifth shutout of the season, Brown’s 11-save performance earned him his 10th win of the season.

Gold Miners goalie Braydon Garnhart, who turned aside 27 of the 32 shots the Rock directed his way, was tagged with the loss.

NOJHL NOTES — The Daily Press three stars of the game were Harroun, Pool and Brown … The Rock went 1-5 on the power play, while the Gold Miners were 0-6 with the man advantage … Official attendance at the McIntyre Arena was 612 … Friday’s other action saw the Voodoos blast the Greater Sudbury Cubs 8-1 in Powassan, the Soo Thunderbirds fly past the Red Wings 5-2 in Elliot Lake and the Espanola Paper Kings edge the Eagles 4-3 in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. … The Rock will take on the Gold Miners at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex on Saturday, at 7 p.m. The next home game will be on Wednesday when the Rock will host the Cochrane Crunch at the McIntyre Arena, at 7:30 p.m.

“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel