NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015
Thunderbirds win league-leading 27th NOJHL game
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds reached the 27-win plateau in just their 30th Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League game Wednesday as they withstood a comeback bid by the Blind River Beavers and pulled out a late 5-3 triumph at Essar Centre.
Sault Ste. Marie got going offensively 14:16 into the contest getting thanks to Matthew Caruso, who notched his 12th of the season at 14:16 and scored for a third straight game while extending a point streak to four.
Blind River drew level just over a minute and a half later on Ted Davis’ ninth of the campaign to knot the affair at 1-1.
The Thunderbirds took a 3-1 cushion after two periods of play via a Matthew Mitchell even strength effort at 4:23 followed by Caleb Boman connecting on the power play 11 minutes later.
Battling back, the Beavers drew to within one in the final session as Max Khull struck shorthanded at 11:31 as he raised his overall goal total to a dozen.
Blind River then tied it a couple of shifts later when former Soo defenceman Matthew Murray scored on the power play.
Regrouping, the Thunderbirds got the game-winner with 2:50 left in regulation as Caruso picked up his second tally of the night.
Mark Tassone then capped off the night’s scoring with 79 seconds left as he added some insurance with a man advantage effort.
Michael Caruso had a big night offensively as the Soo defenceman dished out three assists in the victory.
Shots on goal favoured the Thunderbirds by a 54-16 margin with Brendon Gordon picking up the win and Matt Blattenberger the loss.