Thunderbirds earn narrow decision over Eagles

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A Max Techel marker late in the first period proved to be the game-winner as the Soo Thunderbirds went on to defeat the rival Soo Eagles 3-1 Friday in a hotly-contested Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at Pullar Stadium.

A Thunderbirds man advantage opportunity helped them open the scoring 12 and a half minutes into the contest when Matthew Bazarin notched his 12th goal of the season.

The Eagles countered a couple of shifts later though to notch the equalizer on Charley Hanewall’s 17th to knot the affair at 1-1.

Techel then put the visitors back in front at 18:32 as the guests carried a 2-1 cushion into the intermission.

It remained a defensive battle the rest of the way that remained scoreless until the late going in regulation when Spencer Van Tiem put one into an empty net with 90 seconds left to help secure the road win for the Ontario Soo.

The Thunderbirds also held the edge in shots on goal by a 33-27 count with Colin Ahern collecting the win while Shane Brancato suffered the narrow setback.