Taylor tallies twice as Wildcats clip Eagles

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Connor Taylor had a pair of second period goals, including the game-winner on a power play, as the Elliot Lake Wildcats went on to defeat the Soo Eagles 5-3 Saturday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at Pullar Stadium.

Josh Bifolchi started Elliot Lake off with the evening’s initial marker as he connected at 12:10.

Sault Ste. Marie came back to tie things up a couple minutes later on a Brendan Blair effort, then went in front as Lucas Rothe picked up his first league marker at 17:31.

The Wildcats battled back in the second by striking three times on a Brett Lannin effort followed by Taylor’s two tallies.

Caleb Wood did bring the Eagles closer late in the session to move to within one heading to the third.

In that final stanza though, Jayden Parnell ice it for Elliot Lake with an empty netter at 17:57 to round out the night’s scoring.

Newley acquired Justin Vertesi made 32 saves in his Wildcats’ debut to record the win.

Caleb Sauer started for the Soo and suffered the loss allowing four on 26 attempts while Joseph Benedetto handled all eight shots he faced in over 20 minutes of relief.

Riley Jensen did have an assist for the Eagles to extend a point streak to six games.