ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – A Chase Tallaire man advantage marker with 2:22 remaining in regulation was the difference as the Soo Eagles rallied for a 4-3 win over the Elliot Lake Red Wings in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Friday at Centennial Arena.
Dayton Clarke did things going for Elliot Lake early as he buried one from the slot four and half minutes into the match-up.
On a dump in, they added to their lead with Alex Antoine winning a race to the puck before lifting a shot over the glove of Sault Ste. Marie goalkeeper Ryan Gilmore.
Answering back, the Eagles’ Brian Fiddes took a pass, split the defence, then neatly picked the corner from the right of Elliot Lake starter Colton Donaldson.
The Red Wings power play got them another though as Jovani Moses went top shelf from the right circle off a feed from Devin Shoreman to put them up 3-1 after 20 minutes.
In the second stanza, some nice puck movement helped the Soo get one via the man advantage as Marc LaFrance snapped one in from the left side with help from Taillaire and Jack Mortson.
Tying it with just over five minutes left in the third, the Eagles’ Alan Evtimov picked off a pass and drove to the net before rifling one in from the right hash mark for his initial NOJHL tally.
Picking up that late power play off a multi-player skirmish, the Eagles completed the comeback as Taillaire came out from the left of Donaldson and quickly converted from close range.
Getting a man advantage in the final moments and having their goalkeeper out for an extra skater, Elliot Lake could not convert however as the Soo held on for the victory.
Shots on goal finished 37-34 in favour of the Red Wings with Gilmore getting the win while Donaldson suffered the narrow defeat.