Photos: Justin Cairns
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – After building up an early lead, the Soo Eagles had to hold off a comeback bid by the Elliot Lake Vikings before eventually prevailing 7-4 Saturday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League get together at Pullar Stadium.
It took the Eagles just 21 seconds to open the scoring when Cooper Fredericks moved into the left circle and whipped a shot past Vikings’ netminder Noah Davis.
Sault Ste. Marie then banged in two more before the match-up was seven minutes in to take an early edge the contest.
After Tyler Fortson made it 2-0 at 5:38 by lifting an attempt over the blocker of Davis, Zach Sweitzer converted by pumping in a cross-ice feed from Drew Dellies right after that.
Elliot Lake got one midway through the frame on a delayed call and consultation among the officials that deemed Nate Dugwell had indeed scored off a two-on-one in beating Soo goalkeeper Gaetano Piccione.
Getting that back, the Eagles’ Lucas Caulfield powered his way down the slot and wired a shot off the post and in for his 13th tally of the campaign.
After Benjamin Pouliot buried one on an early power play in the second to put the hosts up 5-1, the Vikings stormed back with a trio of tallies to pull within one.
A bounce off a Soo skate went right to Brigham Nye, who promptly wired his chance over the shoulder the Piccione.
Dugwell then added his second by darting down the right wing and lifting a back hand into the top corner.
He then finished off a hat trick by jamming in a loose puck laying in the crease during a power play.
Regrouping, Alex Povorozniouk made it 6-4 Eagles, while they were up a skater at 15:27, by using a slight toe drag and converting when driving down the left side.
Heading to the finale frame, a shorthanded effort off the stick of Fredericks helped secure the home ice victory for the Soo.
The win raises the Eagles record to 14-6-0-2, while the setback results in the Vikings slipping to 6-16-0-0.