GALLERY: Thunderbirds defeat Eagles to win 5th straight and jump to 1st overall

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The surging Soo Thunderbirds won their fifth straight game and 10th of their past 11 outings Sunday after defeating the rival Soo Eagles 5-1 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League matinee Sunday afternoon at John Rhodes Community Centre.

Coming out flying, the Thunderbirds got early control of the match-up by scoring three unanswered goals in the first period.

Nick Smith started the offensive outburst 91 seconds into the contest by picking up his 14th of the season.

The home side then went up by a pair midway through the session as Camden Findley notched his first NOJHL marker.

Continuing to click, the Thunderbirds added another when Lucas Theriault scored his team-leading 17th a couple shifts later.

Heading to the second stanza, the Eagles got one back on the power play thanks to Charley Hanewall, who tallied for a second straight game and extended a point streak to four outings.

However, the Ontario Soo picked up a pair of man advantage markers of their own before the session was complete off the sticks of Gage Stephney and Ryan Lawrence.

Action in the third period saw neither side score before time ran out.

Shots on goal in the contest were even at 32 apiece with Colin Ahern registering the win while Shane Brancato suffered the loss.

With the result, the Thunderbirds move into top spot in the overall NOJHL standings with 38 points with their 19-5 record.

Game Photos courtesy of Rod Aubertin – SSM Photos