Eagles tie up T-Birds
The border battle is even. Soo Eagles upended Soo Thunderbirds 3-2 in a Monday night match to tie their best-of-seven, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League semi-final playoff series at a game apiece.
A third period power play goal by Kobe Keller was the margin of victory as the Eagles overcame a 2-1 deficit and then broke a 2-2 tie to post the road triumph.
Jake Palmerio and Gianni Vitali had scored earlier goals for the Eagles while Noah Solinger and Nick Smith found range for the Thunderbirds.
As usual, Smith was a constant threat throughout the game, using his speed and deft ability to deke to create several scoring opportunities for the Thunderbirds.
On the flip side, Palmerio was a going concern — as he normally is — for the Eagles.
Both goalies, Carter McPhail of the Eagles and Brandon Gordon of the Thunderbirds, made a number of scintillating saves between them.
The NOJHL West Division set now shifts to the Michigan Soo for Pullar Stadium match-ups on Wednesday and Friday nights of this week.
Just my opinion I think someone on the thunder birds has to stand up to the plate..The last few games the opponents are taking advantage of them. They are losing some of their players to injuries . Old time hockey.
I think this series is going to go the distance with the T-Birds winning it in 7.