An Evan Katic long-range empty net marker deep in regulation proved to be the game-winner as the Timmins Rock went on to skate to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Soo Thunderbirds in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League matchup Friday, September 25th at McIntyre Arena.

A physical first period saw Sault Ste. Marie notch the lone tally of the session, just before the period expired, when Owen Murphy took a backhand pass from Nicholas Carlson and wired it high over the glove of Timmins starter Ayden Mullen at 19:55.

The assist for Carlson gives him points in all five Thunderbirds games so far in the campaign.

In the middle stanza, the Rock drew level on an early two-man advantage that saw Ben Climenhaga blast in a give-and-go with Jakob Drobny that flew past Soo netminder Cameron Boville.

Retaking the lead at 3:25, the T-Birds broke out on an odd-man rush and saw Landon Hill wire one upstairs from the right circle.

Back and forth they went with Maxx Hamelin supplying another equalizer for the home side at 12:05 when he snagged a loose puck off a giveaway, then darted in and ripped a shot into the left corner on Boville.

Remaining tied into the third period, Timmins took their first lead when Katic generated a turnover behind the net and sent a low backhand in front that Edan Etheridge promptly buried at 5:16.

Katic then doubled the Rock cushion with an empty netter at 18:56 by blasting a bouncing puck in from deep in his own zone.

The Soo battled to get one more in the final minute compliments of Jackson Mead, via a late man advantage, as he stuffed in his third of the season.

Getting Boville out once more to try and force overtime, Timmins tightened up defensively to wrap-up the home ice win.

With the result, the Rock improve to 3-0-0-1 while the T-Birds suffered their initial defeat in falling to 4-1-0-0.

Source: NOJHL