SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Kirkland Lake Gold Miners saw Dawson Zahorian break a tie game with his second goal of the season that proved to be the game-winner as they earned a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League-leading Soo Thunderbirds Friday evening at John Rhodes Community Centre.
It was the visiting Gold Miners that opened the scoring near the 12-minute mark of the first period thanks to Vinny DeSanctis, who collected his 14th goal of the season.
From there in remained without another tally throughout the rest of the frame as well as in a scoreless second stanza.
Moving on to the third, Sault Ste. Marie picked up the equalizer off the stick of Brendan Miller at 3:21 as he notched his eighth of the campaign.
Regrouping, Kirkland Lake went back on top thanks to Zahorian as he supplied the eventual game-winner.
Gold Miners’ goaltender Dawson Rodin turned in a solid 31-save performance to record the win while Soo starter William Anderson faced 27 attempts in the narrow setback.
Game Photos courtesy of Rod Aubertin – SSM Photos