Overtime goal extends Thunderbirds streak

After letting a 4-0 lead slip away, the Soo Thunderbirds needed overtime to extend their winning streak.

Gage Stephney scored at 4:16 of overtime to give the Thunderbirds a 6-5 win over the Elliot Lake Wildcats in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action in Elliot Lake on Saturday night.

Stephney finished the day with a pair of goals for the Thunderbirds.

Lucas Theriault and Nick Smith added a goal and two assists each in the victory.

Noah Boman had a goal and an assist. Avery Rebek also scored for the Thunderbirds.

Goaltender William Anderson stopped 29 shots.

The Thunderbirds opened up a 4-0 lead on the Wildcats through the opening 24 minutes of the contest before Eric Conley and Jayden Parnell scored 15 seconds apart to get the Wildcats back in the game.

Noah Minns and Tanner Hicks had a goal and an assist each for Elliot Lake. Connor Taylor set up three Wildcats goals. Brett Lannin and Mark Perone assisted on two goals each.

Josh Bifolchi had the other Elliot Lake goal.

Justin Vertesi got the start for the Wildcats but was pulled after giving up three goals on 19 shots. Dominic Boily entered the game and stopped 23 shots the rest of the way.

The Thunderbirds improve to 21-5-0-0 while Elliot Lake falls to 10-17-1-2.

The Thunderbirds wrap up weekend action on Sunday afternoon in Espanola against the Express.