NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015
Canadians end Thunderbirds winning streak
CHELMSFORD, Ont. – A Danny Lepage power play goal with just 45 seconds remaining in regulation helped the Rayside-Balfour Canadians put an end to the Soo Thunderbirds impressive 12-game winning streak as they skated to a 4-2 triumph Sunday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at Chelmsford Arena.
Lepage also got Rayside-Balfour going offensively with the lone tally of the first period as he scored at 13:24 into the contest.
The Canadians extended their cushion to two early in the middle stanza when Otis Goldman connected on the power play 26 seconds into the frame.
It stayed that way into the third when the Thunderbirds got one back thanks to Brandon Grandinetti, who converted during a man advantage opportunity for his first of the year at 2:29.
Continuing to battle back, Sault Ste. Marie tied it less than three minutes later as captain Brett Jeffries notched the equalizer.
With overtime looming, Rayside-Balfour took advantage of a later power play when Lepage knocked in the eventual game-winner in the final minute for his second tally of the night and ninth overall.
Matthew Nault then rounded out the night’s scoring for the home side picking up an empty netter with 10 seconds to go.
Ryan Mooney had two assists for the winners to help their cause.
MacKenzie Savard kicked out 31 of the 33 shots he faced to record the victory for the Canadians.
Brendon Gordon suffered his first loss of the season facing 30 attempts in defeat for the Thunderbirds who lost for just the second time on the campaign as they wrapped up a three-game road trip.
