Crunch complete home-and-home sweep of Lumberjacks

HEARST, Ont. – The Cochrane Crunch used a well-balanced attack, getting goals from six different skaters, to defeat Hearst Lumberjacks 6-4 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League exhibition match-up Thursday night at Claude Larose Arena.

After Cochrane took the opener between the two sides at Tim Horton Events Centre Wednesday, the clubs headed to Hearst tonight to complete the home-and-home set.

First period play in this one was scoreless, but opened up considerably in the second stanza as they combined for six tallies, including four by the Crunch.

Connecting in the middle session for the guests was Billy Paschen, Hunter Buzzi, Matthew Minichiello and Eric Vanderhoff, all within the first 10 minutes, while Max Griffioen and Max Argetsinger answered for the hosts.

A pair of early efforts in the third put Cochrane comfortably in control as Chris Lee and Nick Grandby both found the back of the net.

Hearst did get two goals back later on off the sticks of Jake Desando and Alex Cannon to round out the scoring.

Delano Brown and Matthew Minichiello dished out a pair of assists apiece for the winners.

Making 32 saves in the victory for Cochrane was Zach Wickson.

Austin Madge and Liam Oxner split time in net for the Lumberjacks and faced 30 shots against in defeat.

Game Photos courtesy of  Highway Eleven &Co.