SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Rayside-Balfour Canadians battled back with a pair of third period goals to pull out a 3-2 road triumph over the Soo Thunderbirds in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Friday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
After starting the campaign with 11 assists, the Canadians’ Benjamin Hatanaka collected his initial tally of the year, 15 minutes into the contest, to put the visitors in front.
A late man advantage opportunity helped Sault Ste. Marie tie it when Mackenzie Walkington converted at 18:50 to level the proceedings at 1-1.
The Thunderbirds then capitalized on the power play once more at 6:15 the second stanza to take the lead as Walkington helped set-up Nick Smith for his eighth as he scored for a third straight outing.
Rayside-Balfour came back in the third to pull out the road win beginning with Christopher Clark`s tying tally at 3:14.
They then collected the game-winner off the stick of Zachary Snow with just under 12 minutes remaining to pull out the win.
Canadians starter David Bowen made 26 saves to pick up the victory while Colin Ahern faced 38 attempts in defeat for the Thunderbirds as their four-game winning streak came to a close.
Game Photos courtesy of Bob Davies
