Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. — In a midweek cross-border clash, the fifth-place (3-1) Soo Eagles erased an early deficit and scored twice early in the third period to defeat the first-place (6-1) Soo Thunderbirds 5-3 Wednesday night at the Pullar Stadium in NOJHL action.
The victory gives the Eagles a measure of revenge after the Thunderbirds handed them an 8-1 loss in their previous meeting on September 18 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
The two rivals traded momentum throughout an entertaining contest, with the Thunderbirds opening the scoring before the Eagles responded with three consecutive goals. The visitors battled back to tie the game at three late in the second period, but the Eagles regained the lead early in the third and added an insurance marker just 1:12 later.
Thunderbirds Strike First
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring 12:15 into the first period when Vincent Bondy picked up his first goal of the season.
Bondy fired a low shot along the ice from just inside the left blueline that found its way past Eagles goaltender Jett Loechler. Adam Pszeniczny and Gavin Killoran picked up the assists on the power-play goal.
The Eagles answered with just 4:58 remaining in the opening frame.
At 17:17, Eagles captain Colton Huckson tied the game at 1-1, finding the back of Nathan Maguire’s net from between the faceoff circles. Jeremy Schroeder and Jayden Rothmeyer were credited with the assists.
The teams headed to the first intermission tied 1-1.
Eagles take control, Thunderbirds battle back
The Eagles took their first lead of the night 4:22 into the second period.
Jacob Kelley scored his first goal of the season after picking up an Eagles rebound and putting it past Maguire to make it 2-1. Darren Mayhew and Huckson assisted on the goal.
The Eagles extended their lead to two at 12:15 when Alex Povorozniouk scored his first of the season.
Povorozniouk took a pass from Nathaniel Kohler and Kelley and fired from the right faceoff circle, beating Maguire over his left shoulder to give the Eagles a 3-1 advantage.
The Thunderbirds, however, answered just 19 seconds later.
At 12:34, Nicholas Carlson cut the deficit to 3-2 after picking up a loose, bouncing puck to the left of the Eagles net and firing it home. The goal, Carlson’s fourth of the season, was unassisted.
Soo came all the way back to tie the game late in the period.
At 17:31, Bondy scored his second goal of the night and second of the season during a scramble in front of the Eagles net. Bondy picked up the puck in the crease area and slid it underneath Loechler’s left pad to make it 3-3.
Felix Sapay and Pszeniczny assisted on Bondy’s second of the night.
After 40 minutes, the teams were deadlocked at three.
Eagles Answer Early in Third
The Eagles wasted little time reclaiming the lead in the final period.
Just 1:37 into the third, Povorozniouk scored his second goal of the game and second of the season. The Eagles forward found a loose puck just outside the crease and buried it past Maguire to put Soo ahead 4-3.
Only 1:12 later, the Eagles added another.
At 2:49, Jeremy Schroeder scored his second goal of the season after the Thunderbirds were caught making a line change. The Eagles capitalized on the opportunity, with Huckson recording his second point of the game and Mise’l Isadore adding an assist.
The quick strikes put the Eagles ahead 5-3.
The Thunderbirds pushed to get back into the game, but Loechler and the Eagles defence held the visitors off the scoresheet for the remainder of the contest.
Loechler Comes Up Big for Eagles
Loechler finished the night with 26 saves on 29 shots to earn the win for the Eagles.
At the other end of the ice, Maguire stopped 21 of 26 shots for the Thunderbirds.
Povorozniouk led the Eagles offensively with two goals, while Huckson finished with a goal and two points. Bondy was the offensive leader for the Thunderbirds with two goals.
After the Thunderbirds tied the game at three in the second period, the Eagles responded with two quick goals early in the third and held on for the 5-3 victory.
Thunderbirds Hit the Road
The Thunderbirds will now head out on a two-game road swing.
Their first stop comes Friday, October 2, when they travel to Powassan to take on the Voodoos. The Thunderbirds will then make their way to Noelville on Saturday, October 3, for a matchup against the French River Rapids.
The Eagles will remain at home Friday, October 2, when they host the Blind River Beavers at the Pullar Stadium.
