GALLERY: Terrific start leads Thunderbirds over Wildcats

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds tallied five times in the first period and never looked back as they went on to tame the Elliot Lake Wildcats 11-0 Sunday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at John Rhodes Community Centre.

The Thunderbirds began the night’s proceedings by opening the scoring six and a half minutes into the contest as Soo first-year defenceman Warner Young scored for a second straight outing to put the home side up early.

Sault Ste. Marie struck again a couple shifts later to go up by a pair as Brock Santa Maria also tallied in back-to-back outings for his club.

Continuing to click, it was more Thunderbirds 50 seconds later with Kurtis Rogers making it 3-0 with over half of the first period to play.

The onslaught continued with Tyler Savard converting on the power play at 11:27 with help from Jacob Kovacs, before Rylan Clemons added one at even strength the session to complete the outburst.

It was more from the Soo early in the middle frame as Young notched another, which came during a man advantage opportunity.

Later goals from Camden Findlay, Clemons, Nick Smith, Mackenzie Walkington and Colton Hayes finished off the one-side result.

Making his first NOJHL appearance, Sam Evola made 37 saves to record the shutout for the Soo while Elliot Lake affiliate netminder Zachary Vollicks suffered the defeat.

Game Photos courtesy of Bob Davies