Photos: Turnbull’s Northern Photography
IROQUOIS FALLS, Ont. – Rebounding from a slim third period deficit, the Soo Eagles came back to edge the Iroquois Falls Storm 2-1 in a hard-fought Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League meeting Saturday night at Jus Jordan Arena.
A tight-checking opening 20 minutes saw the clubs hit the first intermission still in search of a goal.
Moving to the middle session, Iroquois Falls broke the deadlock at 13:21 when Jack Jarvis powered his way out of the corner and took the play to the net where he stuffed his chance past Sault Ste. Marie netminder Jace Knoerle.
Supplying an equalizer five minutes into the third period, the Eagles’ C.J. Zaharias took a feed back at the right point and sent a shot through a screen that eluded Storm goaltender Maverick Fletcher for his first NOJHL goal.
The Soo then went ahead with just over eight minutes to play in regulation as Jack Dellies clicked on a man advantage as he slammed in a Benjamin Pouliot attempt off the end boards that went right out the other side to the well-positioned Eagles forward.
A late man advantage and with their goaltender out for an extra attacker gave Iroquois Falls a chance to force overtime, but the guests held on to prevail in the road victory.
The result helped the Eagles improve to 6-4-0-1 while the narrow setback sees the Storm slip to 4-9-0-0.
Both Clubs will see action Sunday afternoon as the Soo visits Timmins at 1 p.m. while Iroquois Falls welcomes Hearst at 2 p.m.