Mitchell’s late tally lifts T-Birds past Rock

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 2015

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SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds scored twice late, including getting the game-winner on the power play by Matthew Mitchell with just 15 seconds remaining to rally for a 4-3 come from behind victory over the Timmins Rock Friday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at Essar Centre.

Sault Ste. Marie notched the lone tally of the opening period as Matt Pinder connected two minutes into the contest.

The Thunderbirds took a 2-0 lead midway through the game as Zach Senecal beat Timmins starter Matthew Nixon.

The Rock got on the board at 16:57 of the second as Tristan Salesse finished off the work of Jared Hester and Mike Norris.

Timmins then tied it with 9:05 to go in regulation thanks to Norris and then took their first lead at 15:41 as Rock captain Kealey Cummings made it 3-2 for the Rock.

Battling back, the T-Birds knotted the contest at three with 2:51 to go when Nathan Hebert notched his second goal of the season.

Then up a man, but with overtime looming, Mitchell won it late for the Soo as they improved to 4-0 early in the season.

Matt Caruso helped set-up the difference maker as part of a two-assist night for the Thunderbirds.

Nathan Warren made 25 saves to record the win for the T-Birds while Nixon faced 45 shots in defeat for the Rock.