JR. HOUNDS TAKE SERIES LEAD

The Soo Jr. Greyhounds moved one step closer to securing a place in the NOJHL championship series with a 4-2 victory Friday night against the defending champion Rayside Balfour Sabrecats.

The Sabrecats opened the scoring in the first period when Wally Prawdzik scored his third of the playoffs on the power play at 7:54.

In the second period Jeff Rainville scored to tie the game at 11:53 with a power play goal of his own. Then, in the final minute of the period, Justin Towell scored to give the Jr. Hounds a 2-1 edge heading into the final period.

The late second period goal didn't seem to phase the Sabrecats as Jeff Shaw scored at 9:37, on a power play, to tie the game at two. Just under two minutes later, Matt West broke the deadlock and scored what proved to be the game winner, beating Sabrecat netminder Justin Labrie.

Matt Hall gave the Jr. Hounds some insurance at 16:42 with his first goal of the playoffs en route to the 4-2 Soo victory. In addition to his goal, Rainville added two assists in the win. Shane Bellini stopped 25 shots in the win. The series shifts to Chelmsford for game 2 on Saturday night before coming back to Sault Ste. Marie for Game 3 on Monday night.