SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds saw Matthew Bazarin tally twice while Tyler Savard and Nolan Ford dished out a pair of assists apiece to help them skate past the Soo Eagles 7-2 in the 2019-20 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season-opening game for both clubs Saturday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
It was the Eagles who began the scoring on this night when Blake Vaca collected his first NOJHL goal eight minutes into the contest.
Answering back, hosts got their initials markers of the campaign from Brock Santa Maria and Daniel Bazarin to take a 2-1 lead after one period of play.
The Thunderbirds also outscored the Eagles 2-1 in the middle session as Cooper Smyl, at even strength, Matthew Bazarin, via the power play, sandwiched goals around a Stephen Smoody extra man effort for the Michian Soo.
Moving on to the third, the home side put the game away as Matthew Bazarin, Nick Smith and Avery Rebek all found the back of the net, including the final two coming on the man advantage.
The Thunderbirds also outshot the Eagles 34-28 on the night with Colin Ahern collecting the win while Shane Brancato suffered the loss.
Game Photos courtesy of Bob Davies