Photos: Justin Cairns
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A workmanlike road effort that featured a well-balanced offensive attack and the shutout goaltending of Ryan Hicks powered the Soo Thunderbirds to a 5-0 triumph over the rival Soo Eagles Friday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Pullar Stadium.
Some solid cycle work from the Thunderbirds helped them notch the lone tally in the opening frame that saw Jayden Arnold whip in his first NOJHL goal with a sharp wrister from between the circles, off a give-and-go with Drew Christian, that flew over the blocker of Eagles’ starter Jace Knoerle at 18:57.
Adding another early in the second stanza, the T-Birds’ Adam Pszeniczny snagged a loose puck in his own zone, then darted up-ice on a two-on-one with teammate Deven Jones-McDonald, and steered in a return feed for his fifth of the campaign.
The visitors kept coming and tacked on two more before the contest was half over to extend their cushion.
Breaking out in transition once again, James Legler made it 3-0 as he took a pass from Callum McAuley while driving down the slot and neatly tucked in a backhand on Knoerle.
Right after that, Thunderbirds’ defenceman Brayden Gosselin took a pass up top from Aiden Atkinson and wired it in for his initial league marker.
Carrying their cushion into the third period, Hicks kept the Eagles at bay during a two-man advantage the home side had, featured by a big glove save in close.
Right after that, the T-Birds put it out of reach midway through session when McAuley cranked in a one-timer that was teed up by Legler.
Withstanding one last chance in the final minute with the Eagles up a trio of skaters, including Knoerle out for an extra attacker, Hicks would not be beaten as he collected his first NOJHL shutout in the win.
The result sees the Thunderbirds improve to 6-3-0-1 on the year while the loss drops the Eagles to 2-9-0-1.
