NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Thursday, April 3, 2014
Thunderbirds complete sweep of Eskimos
IROQUOIS FALLS – Darcy Haines had a goal and set-up two others to lead propel the Soo Thunderbirds to a 5-1 victory over the Abitibi Eskimos in game 4 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semifinal series at Jus Jordan Arena in Iroquois Falls.
With the triumph the Thunderbirds win the best-of-seven series 4-0 and now advance to the NOJHL finals starting next week.
Abitibi did get off to a good start scoring the game’s opening tally just 32 seconds in as Landon Hiebert beat Soo starter Brian Kment.
The NOJHL’s leading goal-getter in the regular season, in the Thunderbirds’ Gavin Burbach, pulled his side even four minutes later notching a shorthanded marker.
The T-Birds went in front for good in the middle session getting goals from Owen Headrick and Anthony Butorac to go up 3-1 after 40 minutes.
Sault Ste. Marie then put the game away in the final frame tacking on the final two tallies of the series courtesy of Haines midway through and Anthony Miller into an empty net in the late going.
Kment made 27 saves to record the win while Brody Wagner had 33 stops in a losing cause for the Eskimos.
NOJHL SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE/RESULTS:
SERIES E
No. 1 Soo Thunderbirds vs. No. 4 Abitibi Eskimos
Thunderbirds win best-of-seven series 4-0
Game 1: Soo 5 Abitibi 4
Game 2: Soo 4 Abitibi 1
Game 3: Soo 2 Abitibi 1 (OT)
Game 4: Soo 5 Abitibi 1
