NEWS RELEASE
NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR A HOCKEY LEAGUE
*************************
FRENCH RIVER – A couple of in-close markers, off the stick of Gabriel Clark, including the eventual deciding tally, helped the Soo Eagles grind out a 5-2 victory versus the French River Rapids Friday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Noelville Arena.
Clicking on an early power play, Sault Ste. Marie scored first when Nolan Nemecek finished off a point blast from Liam Watson that hit off the glass along the end boards and bounced back in front before being knocked in past French River netminder Nicholas Tarantella.
Another special teams effort put the Eagles up by a pair when Benjamin Pouliot struck shorthanded at 15:02 as he darted down the left wing and while driving to the net, lifted in a backhand to give him 20 goals on the season.
From there, the Soo took their lead into the first intermission.
In the middle frame, the Rapids got right back in it on the first shift thanks to Jamison Gifford pumping a shot from up top that clipped off the stick of a defender and sailed over the shoulder of Eagles’ starter Jace Knoerle.
Moving to the back-half of the session a pair of Clark markers for the Soo, sandwiched around one on the power play by French River’s Ralph Coulis, made it a 4-2 game after 40 minutes.
Clark got his initial effort by banging one in while alone in front prior to Coulis slamming in a favourable bounce off the back boards.
Answering that, Clark collected his second on the next shift by once again connecting from close range.
In the final session, a disputed goal off the skate of the Soo’s Lucas Caulfield was eventually awarded to put the visitors up by three at the 48-second mark.
That proved to complete the proceedings offensively as the Eagles skated away with the road result.
