NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Monday, Feb. 15, 2016
Thunderbirds edge Eagles 3-2
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Joey Miller’s second goal of the game, three minutes into the third period, proved to be the difference maker as the Soo Thunderbirds edged the rival Soo Eagles Monday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League encounter in front of nearly 500 fans at Pullar Stadium.
Despite the game being played in Michigan, it was actually the Ontario-based Thunderbirds, who were the home team in the contest as the two sides renewed acquaintances.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Eagles struck first as Zack Parrott potted his third of the season at the 4:47 mark of the middle stanza.
Miller came back with the tying tally for the T-Birds at 7:22 as he finished off the work of rookies Zach Senecal and Darian Pilon.
Another first-year skater in Drake Pilon gave the Thunderbirds their initial lead of the night, via the power play, as he found the back of the net at 15:32 for his 13th goal overall.
Miller’s second marker put the T-Birds up by two in the early stages of third as his 15th of the campaign made it 3-1.
A Gord Helmuth shorthanded effort with 4:32 remaining in regulation brought the Eagles back to within one, but it was as close as they would get before time expired.
Newcomer Blake Mastaw had two assists for the Eagles in defeat giving him five points in total through his first three NOJHL outings.
Connor Ryckman made 27 saves to record the win for the Thunderbirds, who lowered their magic number to clinch first place overall in the NOJHL standings to 3.
Cam Bruggrabe finished with 36 stops in defeat for the Eagles.
