Thunderbirds win third straight

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014

Thunderbirds win third straight

SAULT STE. MARIE – A Nicolas Tassone power play tally 6:31 into the second period turned out to be the game-winner as the Soo Thunderbirds won for a third straight outing as they doubled up the visiting Elliot Lake Wildcats 4-2 Saturday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Saturday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Elliot Lake, which had been riding a franchise-best six-game winning streak entering the contest, needed just 48 seconds to grab the lead as a red-hot Cole Hepler connected on the power play early.

Jaren Bellini levelled the affair with 11:23 remaining in the opening stanza to send the two sides to the dressing rooms tied at 1-1 through one period of play.

In the middle session, Sault Ste. Marie struck three times in a span of two minutes and 50 seconds to chase Wildcats starter Allan Menary with over a half a game remaining.

Erick Hillock, via the man advantage, made it 2-1 at 4:12 before Tassone’s power play effort extended the T-Birds lead at 6:31 and Hillock’s second of the evening 31 seconds after that finished off the offensive outburst.

Mick Tourangeau added one in the late going for Elliot Lake to round out the night’s scoring.

Tassone also had a pair of assists while Hillock had one of his own to finish off a pair of three-point nights for the Soo.

Brian Kment turned aside 26 of the 28 shots he faced to register the victory for the Thunderbirds.

Menary saw 29 pucks in defeat for the Wildcats with A.J. Smith stopping all 16 he faced in nearly 33 minutes of relief.