HEARST, Ont. – Hearst Lumberjacks goaltender Nicholas Tallarico was simply unbeatable Friday evening as he kicked out all 43 shots he faced to record his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout in a 3-0 triumph over the Soo Thunderbirds at Claude Larose Arena.
A tight-checking opening frame was scoreless thanks to the efforts of Thunderbirds starter William Anderson as well as his counterpart Tallarico, in the Hearst goal.
It was more of the season in the second stanza as well with neither managing to get going offensively.
The night finally saw it’s first marker of the evening thanks to a Hearst man advantage effort that saw Bradley Golant pick up his opening marker of the campaign at 3:25 of the third.
Adding to their lead, the Lumberjacks’ Daniel Fisher fired home his fourth of the season with just over seven and a half minutes remaining in regulation.
Golant then iced it in the late going as he collected his second of the night with an empty netter to helped secure the Hearst victory.
Alec Johnson chipped in with two assists to aid the Lumberjacks offensively.
Anderson meanwhile faced 21 shots in a losing cause for Sault Ste. Marie.
