ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – George Orfanos’ second goal of the game, coming late in the second period, during a man advantage, proved to be the game-winner as the Soo Eagles secured a narrow 3-2 road decision over the Elliot Lake Wildcats Friday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League encounter at Centennial Arena.
The lone marker of the first frame was supplied by Sault Ste. Marie’s Eric Vanderhoff as he scored for a second time against his former team since joining the Eagles earlier this month and also collected his 20th overall on the season.
Orfanos notched his first of the night 5:50 into the middle frame as he put the guests up by a pair.
Countering, Elliot Lake got goals from Noah Bradburn, with his initial NOJHL tally, and Hayden Daca, who picked up his fourth, to knot the affair at 2-2.
On the power play deep in the second stanza though, Orfanos connected again to put the Soo back on top as he finished off a Vanderhoff feed, in what proved to be the evening’s final tally.
The two clubs combined for 32 shots in the third period, but neither side would convert offensively as the Eagles held on for the victory.
Ryan Gilmore made 33 saves to get the win for the Soo while Jonathan Lemaire faced 42 attempts in defeat for the Wildcats.
Game Photos courtesy of Northern Exposures Photography
