NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Oct. 2, 2015
Thunderbirds win border battle vs. Eagles
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A Matthew Mitchell goal with 62 seconds left in the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Soo Thunderbirds defeated the rival Soo Eagles 3-1 Friday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at Pullar Stadium.
Neither side would dent the twine in the opening 20 minutes, but it was the Thunderbirds who struck twice in the middle session starting with Drake Pilon’s second of the season at 6:50 followed by Mitchell’s late effort.
The power play allowed the T-Birds to go up by three 4:25 into the third as Matthew Busby banged in his third of the campaign to put the visitors in control.
The Eagles would dash Nathan Warren’s shutout bid at the last possible moment as Ryan Morse tapped in a rebound from the top of the crease during a man advantage just as time expired to round out the scoring.
Warren did finish with 30 saves in picking up the victory while Jack Hickey faced 43 shots in the loss.
The same two teams will meet again Saturday in a 7:30 p.m. start at Essar Centre.