ESPANOLA, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s leading scorer, Lucas Signoretti, tallied twice, including picking up the decider on a second period penalty shot, to lead the Espanola Paper Kings over the Iroquois Falls Storm 4-1 Saturday in a chippy affair at the Regional Recreation Complex.
Some early pressure helped Espanola strike first and saw Liam Rampersad put an attempt in front that was redirected in by Signoretti past Iroquois Falls starter Connor Hatfield for his 21st goal of the season.
That now sees Signornetti with markers in four straight outings as well as run a point streak to nine in the process.
Coming back to tie it, Charlie Crump connected for the Storm at 15:09 as he rifled a shot over the shoulder of the Paper Kings’ Andrew Gaulton from the high slot.
Moving to the middle frame, the hosts went back on top when Signoretti was taken down on a break and was awarded his penalty shot.
On his chance he glided in slowly, moving wide side-to-side, prior to burying a shot into the left corner.
Adding some insurance in the late going, while on a lengthy man advantage, Espanola tacked on two more to secure the win.
Moving the puck around nicely, Graydon Guthrie slammed one in the open corner on a five-on-three at 17:43 before Aiden Pethick’s first of the campaign wrapped things as he cranked a blast from the top of the left circle that rattled off the post and in, less than a minute later.
The result helps the Paper Kings move to 16-6-0-0 and in defeat, Iroquois Falls fell to 7-16-0-1.
