NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Feb. 3, 2017
Photo credit: Thomas Wallace
Mulligan’s man advantage effort lifts Thunderbirds past Wildcats
ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – A Ryan Mulligan power play goal 7:22 into the third period stood up to be the game-winner as the Soo Thunderbirds went on to defeat the Elliot Lake Wildcats 6-4 Friday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at Centennial Arena.
Each side would tally twice in the opening period with Zach Senecal and Sean Emmerson connecting for Sault Ste. Marie while Curtis Rawn and Brett Jacklin countered for Elliot Lake with man advantage efforts.
The Thunderbirds went up 4-2 after two as they notched a pair of tallies in the middle session compliments of Jake Behse while the Soo was up a man and Gage Stephney at even strength.
Brennan Kelly brought the Wildcats back to within one 14 seconds into the final frame and he then tied it five and a half minutes later with his second of the stanza and eighth overall.
Mulligan would put the T-Birds back in front for good a couple shifts later as he supplied the eventual difference maker during a power play.
Mark Tassone then iced it for the Thunderbirds with 62 seconds to go as he scored into an empty net to secure the road victory.
Mark Caruso chipped in with three assists for the Soo while teammate Greg Smith added a couple.
David Elford and Evan Spencer had two helpers apiece for Elliot Lake.
Brandon Gordon made 27 saves in the win for the T-Birds while Justin Richer stopped 29 of 34 in defeat for the Wildcats.
