SAULT STE. MARIE - The Soo Thunderbirds scored three unanswered third-period goals to snap a 2-2 tie and defeat the visiting Abitibi Eskimos 5-2 at the Essar Centre Friday night.
The game was the first of three weekend road games for the Eskimos.
Grant Syrette gave the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead in the first period and added a second-period goal to increase the home side’s advantage to 2-0.
The Eskimos fought back to tie the score 2-2 before the end of the middle frame, however.
Shayne Hiley netted a power-play goal and Brady Clouthier netted his team-leading 20th goal of the season at even strength.
Darcy Haines, Jaren Bellini and Anthony Miller scored third period goals to provide the winning margin for the Thunderbirds.
Brody Wagner, of the Eskimos, stopped 46 of the 50 shots the Thunderbirds fired his way, with the final Soo goal being scored into an empty net.
Joel Horodziejczyk, of the Thunderbirds, made 16 saves to earn the victory.
The Eskimos road trip continues on Saturday night with a game in Blind River against the Beavers and on Sunday night with a game in Elliot Lake against the Bobcats.
Friday night’s other NOJHL games saw the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners edge the North Bay
Trappers 2-1 and the Bobcats double the Espanola Rivermen 6-3.
