SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Soo Eagles goaltender Ryan Gilmore turned aside all 23 shots he faced to post his second Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout of the season in backstopping his club to a 4-0 win over the Elliot Lake Wildcats Saturday at Pullar Stadium.
Sault Ste. Marie out shot Elliot Lake 13-5 in the first period, but neither starter, in the Wildcats Jonathan Lemaire, or the Eagles Gilmore, would allow a goal.
The hosts did open the scoring 7:10 into the second stanza as Malik Ali collected his eighth goal of the campaign with help from Jake Lamberty and Brice French.
They then struck again just before the frame was complete on a John McLaughlin effort at 19:56.
Freshly acquired Eric Vanderhoff extended the Eagles edge early in the third as he scored his first for his new side and 19th overall in NOJHL play this season.
Tommy Buis then added to insurance to secure the victory as he found the back of the net with 9:01 to go to round out the scoring.
Adding two assists apiece in the decision for the Soo was Joel Brandinger and Lamberty.
While Gilmore got the victory, the Wildcats’ Lemaire saw 36 shots fired his way in defeat.
