Photos: Chelsea Solomon
ESPANOLA, Ont. – Tyson Doucette’s second power play goal of the game, coming 85 seconds in overtime, lifted the Soo Thunderbirds to a 3-2 decision over the Espanola Express in a hard-fought Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Saturday at the Regional Recreation Complex
After a scoreless opening frame, Sault Ste. Marie began the night’s scoring 11 and a half minutes into the second stanza as Kelsey Ouellet notched his fourth of the season on a rush into the Espanola zone as he cut to the middle and fired a low shot from the high slot that found its way through a screen.
After collecting the game-winner in a home triumph Friday over Greater Sudbury, Kyle Caron of the Express scored for a second-straight outing as he levelled the proceedings at 15:41 when he finished off a one-timer after taking a feed from James Eng from the side of the net.
Trading power play tallies in the third, Kobe Braham put the home side in front only to see Doucette capitalize for the Thunderbirds while up a skater at 12:41.
Heading to extra time on the man advantage, Doucette provided the winner from the right side after outwaiting an Express defender then slipping the decider through the legs of Patrick Boivin in Espanola net to end it.
Doucette also ran a point streak to six in succession with his two-tally performance.
The Soo’s Noah Metivier finished with 26 stops to pick up the victory while Boivin was solid making 43 saves in helping the Express pick up a point in defeat.
