A late-game push wasn't quite enough for the Elliot Lake Red Wings on Friday night after falling behind early on.
The Red Wings scored three times in the third period, but couldn't complete the comeback as the Espanola Paper Kings held on for a 5-2 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory at Centennial Arena.
Despite the loss the Red Wings celebrated a kids night with toys and money collected for the Elliot Lake Lions Club Christmas toy drive.
The Paper Kings stormed out of the gate in the opening period, scoring three goals and dominating the Red Wings in the opening 20 minutes. Scoring for the visitors was Joshua Rumolo, Hunter Friesen, and Jonathan Lush.
Red Wings goaltender Cameron Smith came in to replace Sean Guerin, who got the start in goal for the home side and was in for all three Espanola goals in the first period..
Thomas Dimoulas started the Red Wings climb back with a goal 5:24 into the second frame.
Alexandar Christopoulos restored Espanola's three-goal lead 4:26 into the third period.
A goal by Kaden Laverdiere cut the Espanola lead back to two and Evan Dantas narrowed the gap further by scoring on a penalty shot with 2:06 to go in regulation time.
Lush scored his second of the night into an empty net in the final minute to make it a 5-3 game.
Braden Twigg, who was robbed of a goal in the first period, found the mark in the final seconds of the game to cap off the scoring.
The Red Wings travel to Blind River Saturday night to play the Beavers at the Blind River Community Centre. Puck drop is 7 p.m.