SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Eric Schuch turned aside all 29 shots he faced to post his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout to help the Soo Thunderbirds blank the Elliot Lake Wildcats 3-0 Saturday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
The Thunderbirds kicked off the scoring late in the first period when Kaidan McDonald secured his second goal of the year with under three minutes to go in the session as he provided what would turn out to be the game-winner.
Sault Ste. Marie built on that by tacking on a pair of early markers in the middle frame with Brendan Miller and Nick Smith striking 51 seconds apart to go up by three.
Schuch stood tall from there making 24 saves in the final two periods alone and the Soo defensive corps did the rest to earn their second shutout this season.
Parker Simpson faced 21 attempts in defeat for Elliot Lake.
With the result the Thunderbirds improved to 7-3-0-1 on the campaign while the Wildcats fell to 7-5-1-0.
