Thunderbirds winning streak hits four games

Trailing early, it took a goal just under five minutes into the third period to break a 1-1 tie and extend the Soo Thunderbirds winning streak to four games on Tuesday night.

The Thunderbirds skated to a 2-1 win over the Espanola Express Tuesday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Rylan Clemons scored on a backhand from the left circle, beating Espanola Express goaltender Joel Rainville 4:48 into the third to give the Thunderbirds the lead for good.

Clemons has 12 goals in 13 games with the Thunderbirds after he joined the team in early December.

With Espanola leading 1-0, Tyler Savard got the Thunderbirds on the board with 3:03 to go in the second period when he went to the net and redirected a feed from Mackenzie Walkington.

Espanola opened the scoring just under seven minutes in when Mattias Salem beat Thunderbirds goaltender Dakota Meyer glove side from the right circle in the opening period.

Meyer finished the night with 32 saves for the Thunderbirds.

Rainville made 39 saves at the other end for Espanola.

The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 18 but was postponed due to bad weather in the area.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Wednesday at home against the Elliot Lake Wildcats with puck drop set for 7 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Having lost five straight games, Espanola falls to 12-26-3-1.