CHELMSFORD, Ont. – A three-goal second period helped send the Rayside-Balfour Canadians to their first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League win of the season Thursday night as they defeated the Soo Eagles 4-1 at Chelmsford Arena.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Rayside-Balfour opened the scoring midway through the middle stanza as Brandon Atkins connected during a man advantage opportunity.
The Canadians then picked up the eventual game-winner at 12:07 of the session off the stick of Kyle Liinamaa as he notched his first of the campaign.
The home side then finished off their offensive outburst four minutes later with Brodie Willard setting up Alexander Fowke for his initial NOJHL tally to make it 3-0 after two periods of play.
Sault Ste. Marie got on the board 5:39 of the final frame thanks to Drew Wotta’s initial league marker.
The score stayed 3-1 RBC until the late going of the contest when Fowke iced it with an empty netter in the final minute.
Willard and Evan Krassey finished with two assists on the night in the Canadians’ victory.
Shots on goal favoured Rayside-Balfour by a 42-32 margin with Jean-Marc Brisson picking up the win net.
Caleb Sauer started for the Eagles and suffered the loss allowing three against on 21 attempts while Joseph Benedetto handled all 10 shots he saw in just under 24 minutes of relief.
Photos courtesy of Rob and Caleigh Fera: www.sudburylight.ca
