A pair of first period goals were eventually the difference for the Soo Thunderbirds on Friday night.
Max Techel’s goal with 1:28 to go in the opening period held up as the game-winner as the Thunderbirds picked up a 3-1 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory over the Soo (Mich.) Eagles on Friday at Pullar Stadium.
Matthew Bazarin opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds while Spencer Van Tiem sealed the win with an empty net goal with 90 seconds to go in the contest.
Thunderbirds goaltender Colin Ahern stopped 26 shots.
Charley Hanewall had the lone goal for the Eagles while goaltender Shane Brancato stopped 30 shots.
The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 37-10-0-1.
Friday was the second win of the week for the Thunderbirds, who beat the Blind River Beavers 5-2 on Monday night.
Trailing 1-0 through 40 minutes, the Thunderbirds exploded for five goals in the final 20 minutes to beat the Beavers.
Van Tiem had a pair of goals in the victory while Noah Boman assisted on three goals.
Bawarin, Avery Rebek, and Nick Smith also scored while Ahern made 30 saves.
Nash Hatcher and Brendan Young scored for Blind River.
Beavers goaltender Jackson Hjelle stopped 44 shots.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Sunday afternoon in Blind River against the Beavers.