HEARST, Ont. – A Matteo Peca marker 1:14 into overtime was the difference as the Cochrane Crunch skated to a 5-4 victory over the Hearst Lumberjacks in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League exhibition encounter Saturday at Claude Larose Recreation Centre.
Each side would tally once in the opening stanza as Liam Doyle put the home side in front before Mark Hill collected the equalizer for the visitors.
Action in the second period saw another one goal apiece for the two teams with Martin Papineau connecting for the Crunch before Zachary Demers converted on the power play for the Lumberjacks.
Moving to the third, Gerret Harty gave the hosts the lead once more, but Ryan Hunter had a man advantage effort of his own for the guests at 7:41.
Back and forth they went, as Ethan Ingram put Cochrane ahead before Hearst’s Robbie Rutledge forced OT with 2:39 remaining in regulation.
In the end though, the Crunch prevailed thanks to Peca’s game-winner.
Cochrane goaltender Ben Digiallonardo had an impressive night, making 48 saves to record the win.
Meanwhile, the Lumberjacks’ Liam Oxner faced 23 shots in defeat.