GALLERY: Thunderbirds earn home win over Red Wings

Game Photos: Jay Houslander – SaultSports

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds saw Cooper Foster collect four points while Tyson Doucette tacked on a pair of power play markers to lead them past the Elliot Lake Red Wings 6-2 Wednesday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at the John Rhodes Community Complex.

Sault Ste. Marie got the early jump as Creo Soloman scored at the 7:20 mark of the opening frame when he finished off a Foster feed in the slot.

Going to the power play later in the session, Elliot Lake picked up the equalizer with 4:45 remaining in the period as Kaden Laverdiere powered his way down the left wing and wired one past Thunderbirds netminder Noah Metivier for his initial NOJHL tally.

Coming out quickly in the middle frame, the Red Wings picked off a pass up that middle that allowed Cole Kimble to zip down the right wing and snap one into the top right-hand corner to give the guests the lead.

Answering back, the Thunderbirds drew level a minute and a half later, via the man advantage, as Foster put one over the shoulder of Elliot Lake goalkeeper Ryder Gregga.

The Soo then retook the lead late in the second as Michael Chaffay finished off a nice three-way passing play with help from Foster and Brock Santa Maria.

Taking a two-goal lead at 8:55 of the third, Andrew Gibson made it 4-2 Thunderbirds by wiring one upstairs from the right wing.

Not done there, some more crafty puck movement helped the hosts put the game away beginning with a Doucette power play attempt from close range at 13:43 and another man-up tally by him 30 seconds later as he knocked in a rebound off a chance from the point.

Metivier made 21 saves in picking up the triumph for the Soo with Gregga seeing 29 shots against in defeat.