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Backed by a five-point performance from Rylan Clemons, the Soo Thunderbirds picked up a convincing Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League win on Friday night.
Clemons had a natural hat trick to help the Thunderbirds to an 11-3 win over the Elliot Lake Wildcats Friday at Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake.
After staking the Thunderbirds to the lead, Clemons proceeded to tack on a pair of assists, giving him 11 goals and 20 points in 10 games since joining the team.
Jacob Kovacs chipped in with a goal and three assists for the Thunderbirds offensively.
Jordan Broome, Colton Hayes, and Michael Chaffay had a goal and two assists each for the Sault.
Cooper Smyl and Tylar Savard added a goal and an assist each while Kurtis Rogers and MacKenzie Walkington also scored.
Goaltender Sam Evola stopped 32 shots.
Tysne Stanski, Jonathan Giancotti, and Jordan Ritchie scored for Elliot Lake.
Goaltender Jonathan Lemaire got the start for Elliot Lake but was pulled after giving up five goals on 21 shots in just under 27 minutes of work, Theodore Heropoulas finished the second period for the Wildcats, stopping 22 of 24 shots in 13 minutes of work.
Lemaire finished the game, stopping 14 of 18 shots in the third period.
The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 22-14-2-3. The team now has some time off from game action as the Thunderbirds next game is Jan. 17 on the road against the Soo (Mich.) Eagles in a key West Division matchup for both clubs.
Elliot Lake falls to 5-32-1-0 with Friday’s loss.