Thunderbirds soar past Eagles Saturday night

Busting open a tie-game with four unanswered third period goals propelled the Soo Thunderbirds past the Soo Eagles 6-2 Saturday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at John Rhodes Community Centre.

Converting on the night’s first power play, the visiting Eagles used some crisp puck movement, which eventually led to Nolan Nemecek to jamming in a chance past Thunderbirds’ starter Noah Metivier, a news release said.

On a man advantage to commence the second stanza, the T-Birds capitalized with Callum McAuley steering in a feed sent to him from the side boards from Matteo Moretta, who collected his initial NOJHL point with the assist.

Up a skater themselves later in the session, the Eagles retook the lead when Lucas Caulfield reached the 20-goal plateau on the campaign as he neatly redirected in a Benjamin Pouliot attempt.

Countering once more, the Thunderbirds drew level again after controlling a draw that led to Nate Dugwell lifting a shot past goaltender Mason Burkes at 18:26.

Third period action saw the home side bang in a trio of tallies to take control of the contest.

James Legler gave the T-Birds the lead at 4:45 when he led a dash up ice, and after crossing the blueline, moved in a fired a shot through Burkes.

Teammate Cam Freeman then made it 4-2 after he took a pass back from Aiden Atkinson and hammered it in from the left side.

Building on that, Jonathan Sonedecker benefited from a turnover in the Eagles end and while using a defender as a screen, whipped a shot past the blocker of Burkes at 10:26.

Dugwell had a chance to add another after being awarded a penalty shot, but Burkes out waited him on his opportunity and made a nice pad save.

However, Ryland Willers capped off the home ice victory with a late empty netter as he registered his initial NOJHL goal in rounding out the scoring.