SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Energized via a four-goal third period, the Soo Eagles went on to defeat the Espanola Paper Kings 5-3 Saturday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League tilt at Pullar Stadium.
An evenly played first period, in terms of attempts on target, saw the teams head to the intermission in search of the night’s initial tally thanks to the efforts of Espanola starter Liam Cheeseman and Sault Ste. Marie starter Daryn Szabo.
Action in the second stanza saw the Eagles connect moments into a man advantage when defenceman Gabriel Clark lifted an attempt from the point that sailed through bodies and into the net.
Pulling even at 11:48, the Paper Kings’ Kaden Wicklander neatly steered in a play put to the crease from the corner by Warren Farver, that eluded Szabo.
Espanola then went in front courtesy of Carter Drigo when he guided in a crisp cross-ice pass from Denver Mulligan.
Beginning their barrage 7:07 into the third, Nathaniel Kohler went in and connected from close range.
Wicklander got that back for the guests moments later as he whipped in a cross-ice pass from Mulligan.
But the Soo came right back to knot the affair once more thanks to Jayden Rothmeyer’s first in the league that saw him collect a free puck and knock in a backhand.
More the Eagles had Matthew Zaharis pick up the eventual game-winner with a slight toe drag and wire a wrist shot into the top left corner after being spotted by Jacob Kelley down low.
Colton Huckson then finished off the outburst deep into the proceedings on a shorthanded empty netter from his own territory.
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