TIMMINS, Ont. – A Brian Fiddes marker with under five minutes remaining in the second period held up as the game-winner as the Soo Eagles went on to defeat the Timmins Rock 3-2 Friday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at McIntyre Arena.
Capitalizing on a turnover deep in Timmins’ territory, Sault Ste. Marie converted late in the first as Nicholas Castillo fired one into the open side from the left of Rock starter Gavin McCarthy, who did make an initial save on the play.
The Eagles them went up 2-0 just 1:02 into the second stanza when Jacob Swiatek wired over McCarthy’s shoulder off a scrummed draw.
Getting one back, Carson Cox made a perfect pass toward the crease that left Nicholas Frederick with a tap in at 13:34.
However, the Soo answered quickly to restore their cushion compliments of Fiddes, who picked off a pass and buried one, blocker side, from the slot.
Pressing to get back in it, in the third, the Rock made it 3-2 with 1:41 to go while on the play and with their netminder out for an additional skater.
That play was finished off by Nicolas Pigeon as he slammed in his 10th of the season, as he buried a feed put across by teammate Nolan Ring.
However, the Eagles regrouped from there and kept Timmins at bay before time expired to record the road victory.
Gabe Rosek got the win and saw the Michigan Soo improve to 22-8-2-0 while the Rock went to 25-7-2-1 as they fell to 0-2-1 in their past three outings.
Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network