After trading goals through 40 minutes, a power play goal by Nolan Nemecek in the third period was the difference as the Soo Thunderbirds beat the Soo Eagles 4-3 on Saturday night.
Nemecek scored his second goal of the season just under eight minutes into the third period to give the Thunderbirds their first win of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season Saturday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
In the opening period, the teams traded goals as Rex Rhodes got the Thunderbirds on the board first midway through the frame on a pass from Lucas DiBerardino before Jack Ohlund tied it for the Eagles in the final minute of the period, converting a pass from Cooper Fredericks on a 2-on-2.
Lucas Caulfield gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead 5:20 into the second period, scoring on a rebound, only to see the Thunderbirds tie the game thanks to a goal by Colin Chesnut at 9:43.
The Thunderbirds took the lead for good at 6:41 of the third period as Cooper Labelle scored his second goal of the season, setting the stage for Nemecek’s game winner.
Fredericks scored his second goal of the season for the Eagles thanks to a power play marker at 9:37, but the visitors couldn’t find the equalizer,
Chesnut finished the day with a goal and an assist while Bryan Fenlon assisted on a pair of goals for the home team.
Goaltender Lincoln Mellenthin stopped 24 shots for the Thunderbirds.
Fredericks had a goal and an assist for the Eagles while goaltender Jace Knoerle also stopped 24 shots.
