Wildcats rally late, defeat Thunderbirds in OT

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Friday, March 6, 2015

Wildcats rally late, defeat Thunderbirds in OT

SAULT STE. MARIE – Nathan Campbell scored with 18 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it while Kyle Salmon won it 3:31 into overtime as the Elliot Lake Wildcats rallied to edge the Soo Thunderbirds 4-3 Friday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League game held at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Elliot Lake took the lead 13:33 into the second period as Connor Scott connected on a Wildcats man advantage opportunity.

Sault Ste. Marie came right back to draw level 55 seconds later as Brett Jeffries tucked in his 19th goal of the season.

A minute and a half later the Thunderbirds went on top courtesy of an Owen Headrick effort.

Adam Baxter pulled the Wildcats back into a tie midway through the third to knot the score at 2-2.

Matt Pinder put the T-Birds back in front with 2:59 to go, but once again Elliot Lake battled back notching the equalizer from Campbell in the waning moments of the third.

Salmon then completed the visitors comeback to secure the extra point on the night in the first extra session with the sides playing four skaters aside.

Scott picked up two assists on the night for a three-point game.

The win was the Wildcats league-leading 38th of the season, giving them one more than the Thunderbirds and Kirkland Lake Gold Miners, who both however have one more regular season game to play.

A.J. Smith earned that Elliot Lake victory making 30 stops on the night.

Mario Culina faced 33 shots in defeat on a night where his club did pick up a point with the Thunderbirds having already secured the second consecutive regular season title last week.