Miners extend win streak, defeat Orrsmen 5-4.

Miners extend win streak, defeat Orrsmen 5-4.

CANADIAN PRESS (Parry Sound, ON)

The Sudbury Miners started slowly, and the Parry Sound Orrsmen finished fast.

Still, Sudbury did enough in the middle of the game to pick up a 5-4 road win over the Orrsmen on Friday night. Vincent Trocheck led the way offensively for the Miners with a goal and an assist.

The Miners (12-33-12) got four straight goals from different players late in the first period and into the second period after Parry Sound had opened up a 2-0 lead early in the first. The win was the Miners second in a row.

Jordie Benn's goal at 15:44 of the third period was the difference for the Miners, who outshot Parry Sound 42-21.

The Orrsmen (14-31-2) fell behind 4-2 before a late rally. They lost their fifth straight game, but it wasn't for a lack of effort early or late.

Carolina had a 12-8 advantage in shots in the first period, many of which were top-notch scoring chances, but Miners goaltender Jake Allen, who had 27 saves, was strong early. The Miners have made it a habit recently to start sluggishly in the first period.

"The beginning is really important," Allen said. "We've got to be ready to play. The last few games we haven't been consistent in doing this."

The win Friday extended the win streak for the Miners, who travel to Niagara Falls on Sunday to take on the Thunder. Coach Derek Sutton said the slow starts will be addressed.

"We're just going to talk about it and fix it because the players aren't happy," Sutton said. "I'm not happy, so we'll fix that."

The offense picked up for Allen in the second period. Lauri Korpikoski scored 5:59 into the period and then Trocheck, on the power-play, added his fifth goal of the season. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad would round out the scoring for the Miners in the period, sliding one past Orrsmen goaltender Jacob Markstrom to give the Miners a 4-2 lead.

Parry Sound got to Allen for two more goals, from Mark Scheifele and Colton Scissons to tie the game at 4-4 before Benn’s game-winner. Allen was able to hold off a late 6-on-5 flurry from the Orrsmen to preserve the win.

"Jake was the man tonight for sure," Sutton said.

MINERS NUGGETS

- The Miners have now won two straight on the record, improving their record to drop to 4-22-0.

- Defenseman Shea Theodore was taken out of last night’s game due to the league’s concussion protocol. He is expected to be back in the line-up on Sunday.