Thunderbirds win third straight

The Soo Thunderbirds used three goals in just under three minutes in the second period to snap the six-game winning streak of the Elliot Lake Wildcats.

Eric Hillock scored twice and helped set up a goal by Nicolas Tassone as the Thunderbirds scored three times in 2:50, taking a 4-1 lead at the time and skating to a 4-2 victory over the Wildcats in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

The Wildcats opened the scoring as Cole Hepler scored 48 seconds into the game but the Thunderbirds would proceed to score the next four goals en route to the win. Jaren Bellini also scored for the locals in the win.

Tassone would also pick up a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds while Bellini also set up a goal for a two-point night.

Brian Kment got the start for the Thunderbirds and stopped 26 shots in the win.

Allan Menary stopped 25 shots for the Wildcats before being pulled following the Thunderbirds fourth goal. A.J. Smith stopped all 16 shots he faced the rest of the way.

The Thunderbirds are back in action on Sunday afternoon as they host the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in a 2 p.m. start at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

In other NOJHL action on Saturday night the Abitibi Eskimos skated to a 4-3 win on home ice against the Powassan Voodoos while the aforementioned Gold Miners beat the Blind River Beavers 7-3 in Blind River.