Thunderbirds split weekend set with Eagles

It turned into a goaltenders duel and it was Soo (Mich.) Eagles netminder Carter McPhail who was the difference.

McPhail stopped 35 shots, including 29 in the opening two periods, as the Eagles blanked the Soo Thunderbirds 3-0 on Saturday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Scoreless through 40 minutes, the Eagles would break the game open with three goals in just over six minutes in the third period to puck up the victory.

Austin Rowe, Gianni Vitali, and Hayden Clark had a goal and an assist each for the Eagles offensively.

Thunderbirds goaltender Eric Schuch was also solid in the game, stopping 35 Eagles shots.

The game was the back end of a home-and-home series that saw the Thunderbirds pick up a 4-1 win at Pullar Stadium on Friday night.

The Thunderbirds drop to 27-9-2-1 while the Eagles improve to 24-15-0-1.

The Thunderbirds wrap up weekend action on Sunday afternoon at home against the Espanola Express. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is 3 p.m.