SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Soo Thunderbirds rallied late in regulation to tie it, then went on to defeat the rival Soo Eagles 3-2 in overtime Friday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up in front of 1,021 fans at Pullar Stadium.
First period play saw the hometown Eagles notch the lone marker in the session, 2:29 into the contest, on Jake Lamberty’s 11th of the campaign.
Going to the power play in the second stanza, the Thunderbirds drew level on a Brendan Miller tally at 5:10.
The Eagles regained the lead though, with a man advantage effort of their own, late in the frame with Lucas Rothe putting his side back on top at 18:29 while up a skater.
Answering back deep in the third period, the Thunderbirds’ Nolan Ford forced OT at 18:08 as his ninth of the campaign sent the contest to extra time.
In the OT, defenceman Steven Bellini picked up the winner for the visitors at 3:15 to end it after finishing off the work of teammates Kaidan McDonald and Spencer Van Tiem.
The Eagles did hold the edge in the shots on goal department by a 40-29 margin with Colin Ahern earning the victory while Shane Brancato suffered the loss where his side did earn a point in defeat.
