NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Dec. 16, 2016
T-Birds win streak reaches 10 with OT triumph over Gold Miners
KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – They needed overtime, but the Soo Thunderbirds prevailed in the end as they defeated the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 4-3 in the first extra session to win their 10th consecutive Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League game Friday evening at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
The outcome sets up a big match-up Saturday in Powassan as the host Voodoos put their 21-game winning streak on the line while the Thunderbirds will look for their 11th consecutive triumph in a 7:30 p.m. start at the Sportsplex.
In Friday’s contest, Zach Senecal put the T-Birds on top at 13:08 of the opening frame as he converted during a man advantage opportunity.
Kirkland Lake tied it, via the power play, at 17:11 of the second stanza thanks to Kevin Ford’s 23rd tally of the campaign.
The Gold Miners then went in front less than a minute later on a Lucas Dolanjski effort.
However, Sault Ste. Marie drew level as the period was about to expire as Austin Kozluk connected at 19:59 while the Soo was up a man.
Kozluk then notched his second of the evening and 12th overall to put the Thunderbirds back in front early in the third.
Alex Storjohann then forced OT with his 10th midway through stanza.
In extra time, it was Soo captain Matthew Caruso that won it at 3:55 as he collected his 17th goal of the season in dramatic fashion to end it.
Keenan Eddy had a pair of assists for the T-Birds, including one on the game-winner.
Brandon Gordon made 23 saves to pick up the win while Ridge Gerads faced 29 shots in defeat, but helped the Gold Miners earn a point.
Photos courtesy of www.capturingthemoment.ca
