Third period goals down Thunderbirds

A goal by William Bucsis with 9:11 to go in regulation time was the difference as the Elliot Lake Wildcats winning streak moved to five games on Sunday night with a victory over the Soo Thunderbirds.

With the Wildcats on the man advantage, Bucsis converted a chance in the slot, beating Thunderbirds goaltender Brandon Gordon to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead at the time in what would ultimately be a 3-1 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory over the hometown Thunderbirds.

Clark Allair sealed the Wildcats victory with an empty net goal in the final minute of action while Cole Burton opened the scoring for the Wildcats late in the opening period.

Elliot Lake goaltender Logan Sawka made 36 saves,

Spencer Van Tiem had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds. Goaltender Brandon Gordon made 25 saves.

The loss drops the Thunderbirds record to 32-14-2-1 and the team has a 5-5-0-0 record through its last 10 games. The team sits three points behind the Rayside Balfour Canadians in the NOJHL’s West Division with a game in hand on the division leader, who has won five straight as well.

The Wildcats improve to 24-25-4-0 with the victory.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Friday night in the opener of a home-and-home series with the Blind River Beavers. The two teams meet at the John Rhodes Community Centre in a 7:30 p.m. start before meeting the following night in Blind River. The Thunderbirds then wrap up the weekend on the road against the French River Rapids.