SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Eagles rode the stellar shutout goaltending of Carter McPhail while his teammates tallied three times in the third period to defeat the Soo Thunderbirds 3-0 Saturday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at John Rhodes Community Centre.
It was a battle of the netminders through the game’s first 40 minutes, which were scoreless thanks to the efforts of McPhail as well as the Thunderbirds’ Eric Schuch.
The visitors broke the ice 6:33 into the final frame as Gianni Vitali’s second goal of the season would turn out to be the game-winner.
Austin Rowe’s initial NOJHL marker midway through the third extended the Eagles’ lead before Hayden Clark clicked on the power play at 13:47 to help secure the outcome.
Chipping in offensively for the Eagles was Jake Saxton, who dished out a pair of assists.
In all McPhail finished with 35 saves to post his second shutout of the season.
Schuch meanwhile faced 38 shots in a losing cause for the Thunderbirds.
With the result the Eagles improved to 24-15-0-1 on the season while the Thunderbirds slipped to 27-9-2-1 overall.
Photos courtesy of James Egan’s Sports Photography
