Photos: Bob Davies
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds got a pair of third period goals from Dharan Cap, as part of a 4-2 come from behind victory over the Elliot Lake Red Wings, in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Saturday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
Sault Ste. Marie opened the scoring two and a half minutes into the proceedings as Ethan Raduy slammed one into the open side for his first NOJHL goal.
Remaining 1-0 Thunderbirds into the second session, the Red Wings drew level off a nice shorthanded rush by Alex Antoine, which allowed Kaden Laverdiere to get just enough of an attempt that trickled past the pad of Soo netminder Kolton Bourret at 11:20.
Elliot Lake’s Brodie Kearns then made it 2-1 off a two-on-one after he took a perfect saucer pass from Laverdiere and made no mistake with 2:43 left in the period.
Coming out quickly in the final frame though, the Thunderbirds’ Cap tallied twice, a couple of shifts apart, to first tie it, then put his club in front.
His initial effort came at 1:58 when he whistled a wrister that beat the Red Wings’ Cameron Smith from just outside the left circle.
Connecting again, Cap wheeled out of the right corner and moved to the net, where ripped one upstairs to finish off a nice offensive effort.
Sealing the home triumph in the final moments was Kaden Dundas, as his long-range effort from deep in his own zone found the empty net to wrap things up.
Bourret got the win, his first on the NOJHL, while Smith suffered the defeat.
Highlight of the Night – NOJHL YouTube Channel
