Paper Kings up on Beavers
First week of playoffs in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League are in the books. And of the four first round sets, Espanola Paper Kings are the only lower seeded team with a series lead.
After dropping its best of seven West Division semi final series opener to the no. 1 seed Blind River Beavers by a 6-3 score, no. 4 seed Espanola has since rebounded with a pair of decisive victories. And with 7-3 and 8-1 wins, the Paper Kings have taken a 2-1 series lead over the Beavers.
Goalie Jake Marois, defenseman Spencer Horgan and forwards Owen Fergusson and Lucas Signoretti have been the difference makers to date for Espanola.
Marois made a combined 93 saves in the Paper Kings two wins while Horgan scored five goals and added two assists from his blue line post. Fergusson, meanwhile has one goal, seven assists, eight points in the three games to date while Signoretti has three goals, three assists, six points.
Game 4 in the series is slated for Tuesday of this week in Espanola.
• More on the NOJHL playoff picture can be found via www.nojhl.com