Kovacs paces Thunderbirds to win in trip opener

Three goals from forward Jacob Kovacs, including two in the second period, lifted the Soo Thunderbirds a win in the opening game of a three-game Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League road trip on Friday night.

The Thunderbirds scored three timed in the second period, all in a span of just over four minutes, to break open a tie game at that point in a 6-2 win over the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners Friday.

Will Josephson chipped in with two goals and an assist while Matthew Bazarin also had three points, assisting on three Sault goals.

Mackenzie Walkington had the other goal for the Thunderbirds.

Warner Young assisted on a pair of Thunderbirds goals.

Goaltender Dakota Meyer stopped 35 shots.

Lucas Renzoni and Kyler Campbell scored for Kirkland Lake.

Kyle McNair stopped 33 shots for the Gold Miners.

Winners of five straight, the Thunderbirds will take a 13-9-1-2 record into action on Saturday night against French River before wrapping up the trip on Sunday against the Rayside Balfour Canadians.

Kirkland Lake falls to 6-16-2-1 with Friday’s loss.