Photos: Northern Exposures Photography
ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – A Jayden Rothmeyer marker late in regulation held up as the game-winner as the Soo Eagles went on to prevail 4-3 over the Elliot Lake Vikings in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Friday at Rogers Arena.
Following a scoreless first period, the Vikings broke the deadlock 42 seconds into the middle frame thanks to Alexsander Duguay who took a feed from Toby Johnson, who had forced a turnover, and cut to his left and tucked in his chance on Eagles’ netminder Daryn Szabo.
Sault Ste. Marie came right back however to tie it by generating a giveaway of their own that saw Jacob Kelley knock in a rebound past Jacob Kirstein off a Darren Mayhew shot.
The Eagles then went in front while on the power play at 15:30 when Colton Huckson set-up Harmon Esch in the left circle where he fired in a low chance to make it 2-1.
Carrying the slim cushion into the third period, an early outburst saw both teams connect.
After Armando Rojo-Bolton tied it for Elliot Lake at 1:29, by chipping in a play put in front from Landen Lake-Rego, Carter Huckson countered just 23 seconds later to put the Eagles back in front as he roofed one from a sharp angle.
Going up by a pair with 2:09 to go, the Soo’s Rothmeyer side-stepped a couple of defenders before depositing a backhand past Kirstein.
The Vikings did one back in the final minute off the stick of Johnson as his rising attempt was inadvertently pinballed into the net by the Eagles.
Despite a couple of late chances on a man advantage and with their goalkeeper out for an additional skater, the Soo held on for the narrow road win.
The same two clubs will cap off a weekend home-and-home Saturday in a 7 p.m. start over at Pullar Stadium.
