Photos: Northern Exposures Photography
MASSEY, Ont. – Anthony Bertrand’s second goal of the game, coming off an impressive rush up-ice, with just 24 seconds remaining was the game-winner as the Elliot Lake Vikings defeated the Soo Eagles 4-2 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up Friday at Massey & District Community Arena.
Even with the Eagles holding a significant edge in shots the clubs hit the first intermission still knotted at 0-0.
Heading to the second stanza, the Vikings pressed the pace and tallied twice to go up 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Their initial marker came six minutes into it with Justin Pichor notching his initial NOJHL tally as he jumped in from the point and snapped a shot high over Sault Ste. Marie netminder Jace Knoerle.
Elliot Lake then went ahead by a pair midway through the proceedings as Bertrand converted by hustling after a puck deep in the Soo end and after working his way by a defender, beat Knoerle from a sharp angle with a rising wrister.
Third period play saw the Eagles come out with a purpose and get on the board 35 seconds in as Ilian Danilov notched his first in league play by lifting in a feed through the crease by Coulson Bell, in beating Vikings’ goalkeeper Brogan Colquhoun.
The Soo then tied it with just over five minutes to play thanks to Carson Doxsey’s first NOJHL marker as he wired an attempt upstairs on Colquhoun from distance.
However, with overtime looming, Bertrand bagged the late difference maker as he danced down the right wing and while stepping around a sliding defender, moved in front and jammed in a backhand from the top of the crease.
Elliot Lake then iced it moments later as Tanner Gould flipped in a empty netter from the neutral zone to secure the win.
The outcome sees the Vikings move to 2-5-0-0 while the Eagles fell to 3-4-0-0.
