NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
Eagles get late goal to edge Rapids
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – An Evan Ketner goal with 67 seconds remaining in regulation was the difference as the Soo Eagles pulled out a narrow 4-3 decision over the French River Rapids Friday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Pullar Stadium.
French River got the lone tally in the opening period as Tyler McGregor collected his eighth of the season at 15:33.
Newcomer Blake Mastaw made an immediate impression for the Eagles notching his first NOJHL marker in his debut at 16:33 of the second stanza.
Sault Ste. Marie came back right back and picked up another just 15 seconds later as Nate Harris gave the hosts a 2-1 lead, which carried into the third.
The Rapids answered that in the first minute of the final frame as Zac McInall notched his second of the campaign to knot the affair at 2-2 during an early man advantage opportunity.
Mastaw was at it again 8:33 into the session as he scored for a second time on the evening to give the Eagles the lead once again.
French River battled back and got the equalizer at 17:16 on an Adrian Nicholas effort.
Then with overtime looming, Ketner started off the play that led to the game-winner, which eventually saw him go to the front of the net and bang in the decider as he buried a Harris pass from behind the net.
The Rapids pulled goaltender Alec St. Georges, but their efforts to force extra time fell just short as the Eagles held on for the win.
Jacob Hernandez dished out two assists to aid the winners cause.
Shots on goal favoured the Eagles by a 48-33 count with Cam Bruggrabe picking up the victory and St. Georges the defeat.
