12 straight has Hearst in first
There is a thirst to finish first up in Hearst. Winners of 12 games in a row, the Hearst Lumberjacks have hustled into first place in the East Division of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
The 12 game winning streak has boosted Hearst’s record to a tidy 31-7-2 and 64 points atop the East side. The Lumberjacks are seven points ahead of the second place Powassan Voodoos and 10 up on third ranked Timmins Rock. Timmins has four games in hand on Hearst.
Marc-Alain Begin, the 30-year old head coach of the Lumberjacks, is hopeful of a first place finish for Hearst. And Begin told Hockey News North that he is proud of the effort being put forth by the Lumberjacks.
“Obviously winning 12 games in a row at this level is really hard,” began Begin. “I am really proud of the guys how they battled back the last couple games after being down early. It seems every game we have someone step up and scores a big goal for us.
“Playing at home is a big advantage for us so I think home ice in the playoff is big so we’ll just continue chipping away and trying to secure first place,” Begin added.
Hearst, in recent action against arch-rival Timmins. (photo by Thomas Perry)