TIMMINS, Ont. – Despite holding a big edge in the shots on goal department, the Timmins Rock required a Stewart Parnell goal 53 seconds into overtime to pull out a narrow 4-3 victory over the Cochrane Crunch in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Thursday night in front of 921 fans at McIntyre Arena.
Picking up the initial power play of the evening, Timmins collected the lone marker of the first period when Phil Caron notched his ninth tally of the campaign at 13:35.
Heading to the second session. Cochrane countered quickly, netting the equalizer off the stick of Owen Perala at 2:56.
Then down a skater deep into the frame, the Crunch saw Matthew Minichiello strike shorthanded as his 16th goal of the year gave the guests a 2-1 lead through two.
Answering back in the third, the Rock saw captain Derek Seguin provide his 19th of 2019-20 at 5:22 as the hosts put in another man advantage effort.
They then regained the lead with just under six minutes remaining in regulation thanks to a Zach Smith contribution.
Continuing to battle, Cochrane forced extra time in the late going as Minichiello buried his second of the night and third point with 1:07 to go.
Heading to OT, the Rock converted quickly on Parnell’s game-winner as the veteran forward scored for a third straight outing and secured his club’s fourth deciding marker, in his past eight games, to end it.
Josh Dickson chipped in with two assists to aid the hosts’ offensive cause.
As mentioned, Timmins posted a big margin in shots, holding a 57-16 superiority on the night with Tyler Masternak picking up the win while Zach Wickson’s impressive 53-save effort helped the Crunch earn a point in defeat.
Game Photos courtesy of Thomas Perry, The Daily Press (Timmins)
