Thunderbirds slip past Eagles in overtime

The Soo Thunderbirds picked up an overtime win over the Soo (Mich.) Eagles on Friday night at Pullar Stadium in the Michigan Sault.

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League rivals played through three scoreless periods before Tyler Savard beat Eagles goaltender Shane Brancato 1:31 into overtime to give the Thunderbirds a 1-0 victory.

Thunderbirds goaltender Sam Evola made 39 saves for the shutout

Brancato made 31 saves for the Eagles.

The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 23-14-2-3 and gives the team a three-point cushion on the Eagles in the NOJHL’s West Division. The Thunderbirds sit in third in the division.

The Eagles record drops to 22-17-2-2.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Saturday night at home against the Espanola Express. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is 7 p.m.