saultsports Photos: Bob Davies
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Pressing the pace from the onset, the Soo Thunderbirds were full value in a well-earned 3-0 victory over French River Rapids Saturday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at John Rhodes Community Centre.
Collecting his initial NOJHL shutout in the win for Sault Ste. Marie was netminder Lincoln Mellenthin.
After facing a season-high 65 shots against in a setback at the Soo Eagles Friday, Rapids’ goaltender Zachary Burleigh faced plenty of rubber in this one as well, beginning with the night’s initial tally, four minutes in.
On the play, the Thunderbirds’ James Legler wheeled around in the French River zone, where he worked it up high and put an attempt to the target that resulted in Callum McAuley banging in his 14th goal of the season.
Adding another off a face-off deep in the frame, Jonathan Sonedecker made it 2-0 Sault Ste. Marie at 17:32 as he won a draw back to Carter Carriere at the point, who fired a shot to the net that was stopped, but Sonedecker collected the rebound and elevated in a backhand.
Tacking on another before the first period expired, the T-Birds won another face-off that led to Harley Wardell pumping on his ninth of the campaign.
In the middle stanza, another barrage of shots were put towards Burleigh, but he stopped them all as the game remained 3-0 Soo after two.
Moving to the third period, another scoreless session saw the Soo skate away with the home-ice triumph, even with the continued efforts of Burleigh who did his part, despite the defeat.
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