NEWS RELEASE
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
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Rebounding from a three-goal deficit past the midway mark of the match-up, the Soo Eagles stormed back to edge the Soo Thunderbirds 5-4 in overtime Saturday iN a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair at Pullar Stadium.
The lone tally of the opening 20 minutes was provided by the Thunderbirds, during a man advantage, in the latter stages of the frame.
On the marker, Jacob Smith notched his 12th of the season as he worked a give-and-go with Aiden Atkinson and wired a shot past Eagles’ netminder Jace Knoerle from the high slot at 15:09.
Heading to the middle frame, another power play goal by the visitors put them up by a pair early thanks to Callum McAuley converting on a five-on-three as he wheeled out from the side boards into the slot and while skating through put an attempt by Knoerle at 1:55.
A third on the night put the T-Birds further ahead when Colin Chestnut chipped a play up to James Elliot, who ripped in his 11th goal of the season.
Benjamin Pouliot then helped get the Eagles on the board at 15:35 as he cut out from behind the net then pumped a shot that clipped off teammate Drew Dellies and changed direction past goalkeeper Noah Metivier.
Pouliot then scored for an eighth straight outing as he raced in on a breakaway a couple of shifts later and converted from close range.
Regrouping, the guests took a 4-2 lead to the second intermission when Ryan Daze clicked in his NOJHL debut, capitalizing on a feed from below the goal line by McAuley.
Coming back in the third to force overtime, Pouliot finished off a backhand on a wrap around at 5:05 prior to Cooper Fredericks notching the equalizer a couple of shifts later as he tipped in a Gabriel Fisher attempt from the right point.
Picking up a power play early in the extra session, the home side capitalized to win it as Liam Watson jammed in his first NOJHL goal, off a scramble in front, 58 seconds in.
The victory sees the Eagles collect a 10th straight triumph, having not tasted defeat since an overtime setback at Powasaan back in mid-November.
It also raises their overall record to 22-6-0-2 while the T-Birds pick-up a point in the OT setback as they slip to 13-16-1-2.
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