NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Jan. 6, 2017
Caruso connects twice as Thunderbirds top Eagles
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds got a pair of third period goals from their captain Matt Caruso to help them skate to a 5-2 victory over the cross-border rival Soo Eagles in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Friday evening at Essar Centre.
The visiting Eagles did open the scoring four minutes into the contest on Jake Saxton’s 14th of the season.
Bouncing back, the T-Birds tallied three times before the opening frame was complete on markers from Mark Tassone, Greg Smith and Ryan Waterhouse, who picked up the eventual game-winner.
After a scoreless middle session, the home side extended their cushion 4:14 into the third period on Caruso’s first of the night.
Jacob Palmerio brought the Eagles closer at 7:29, but Caruso iced it with a shorthanded marker with five and half minutes to play as he collected his second of the evening, 20th of the season and 50th NOJHL goal overall to round out things out.
Zach Senecal dished out two assists to aid the Thunderbirds offensive cause.
Brandon Gordon made 21 saves to record the win for the T-Birds with Kade Phipps facing 25 shots in defeat for the Eagles.
Photos by James Egan’s Sports Photography
