Taillefer tallies twice as Crunch defeat Eagles

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Tristan Taillefer tallied twice Saturday night as his efforts helped the Cochrane Crunch earn a 4-3 decision over the Soo Eagles in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Pullar Stadium.

Taillefer got the Crunch going with the lone marker of the opening 20 minutes as he notched his second goal of the season just past the 16-minute mark of the frame.

Each side would connect twice in the middle stanza as hard-working Austin Whelan and Taillefer scored for Cochrane while Raf Praysner, on the power play, and Caleb Wood, at even strength, did likewise for Sault Ste. Marie.

Action in the third period saw Nicolas Flanders pick up the eventual game-winner for the visitors at 4:46 before Brendan Blair’s fifth round out the scoring for the Eagles with 11:52 to go.

Hunter Buzzi had two assists for the winning side while Jack Strauss had a pair of helpers for the home side.

The Soo out shot Cochrane 37-35 on the night with Zach Wickson securing the victory for the Crunch while Joseph Benedetto suffered the setback for the Eagles.