After battling back from a three-goal deficit in the third period, the Soo Thunderbirds couldn’t quite complete the comeback.
A shootout goal by David Gobeil was the difference as the Hearst Lumberjacks beat the Soo Thunderbirds 5-4 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Gobeil moved in on Thunderbirds goaltender Dakota Meyer and went high glove side in round eight of the shootout to give the Lumberjacks the win.
Rookie defenceman Tyler Dunbar had a pair of goals, including his second of the night in the final minute of regulation time to send the game into the extra period, and also set up a goal for the Thunderbirds.
Both of Dunbar’s goals came in the third period.
Nick Smith had the other goal in the third period for the Thunderbirds, scoring a shorthanded marker with just over three minutes to go and finished the night with a goal and an assist.
Jacob Kovacs also had a three-point night for the Thunderbirds with a goal and two assists.
Goaltender Dakota Meyer stopped 36 shots for the locals.
Max Griffioen had two goals and an assist for Hearst while Jake Desando chipped in with a goal and two assists.
Nick Bruno had the other goal in regulation time for the Lumberjacks.
Hearst goaltender Liam Oxner stopped 25 shots.
The loss drops the Thunderbirds record to 14-11-1-3 as the team prepares for a meeting with the Rayside-Balfour Canadians on Wednesday night locally. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is set for 7 p.m.
Hearst improves to 19-10-0-1.