SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds picked up a goal in each period to help them defeat the cross-border-rival Soo Eagles 3-2 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League preseason affair Thursday afternoon at John Rhodes Community Centre.
It was the visiting Eagles that opened the scoring in this one as Raf Praysner connected 4:12 into the opening frame.
The Thunderbirds answered back with the equalizer nine and a half minutes later on a Will Josephson marker.
Nick Smith then put the home side in front in the middle stanza only to see Ryan Dacks counter for the Eagles a couple of shifts later to knot the affair at 2-2 after two.
In the third, the Thunderbirds completed the narrow victory on a Matt Bazarin power play tally with 11:45 remaining in regulation to round out the day’s scoring.
Shots on goal favoured the Thunderbirds by a 41-35 count with Colin Ahern picking up the win while Shane Brancato suffered the defeat.
The same two teams will meet again Friday in a 6:30 p.m. start back at John Rhodes.
Game Photos courtesy of Bob Davies
