SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Stewart Parnell tallied twice, including collecting his third game-winner in his past six outings, to help propel the Timmins Rock past the Soo Eagles 3-1 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Saturday evening at Pullar Stadium.
The result gives the Rock six straight victories and 56 points on the season, which ties them with the Powassan Voodoos and Blind River Beavers for first overall in NOJHL standings.
Skating in their first contest of 2020, Timmins opened the scoring late in the first period as veteran forward Parnell picked up his 11th tally of the campaign, which came at 18:16.
Moving on to the middle stanza, it was more Parnell midway through the session as he banged in his second of the evening during a Timmins man advantage opportunity.
Sault Ste. Marie countered at 10:58 to cut into the deficit thanks to Caleb Wood, who matched his club lead in goals with his 18th of 2019-20.
The score stayed that way through the remainder of the period as the Rock carried a 2-1 cushion into the third.
There, the visitors restored their two-goal edge at 7:22 compliments of Owen Shier, who stuffed in his fifth goal as he reached a personal season-best 17 points for the year.
Karter Renouf chipped in with a pair of assists on the night, helping set-up each of Parnell’s markers.
Timmins netminder Tyler Masternak made 26 saves to win his fifth straight start and 10th in his past 11 appearances.
Eagles netminder Shane Brancato faced 40 attempts in defeat for the Soo.
