NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, March 10, 2017
Eagles earn Game 1 triumph over Wildcats
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Soo Eagles picked up a pair of goals, including the game-winner, from defenceman Nick Trecroce to help them defeat the Elliot Lake Wildcats 4-1 Friday evening in Game 1 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division quarter-final at Pullar Stadium.
The Wildcats will now try and stave off elimination when Game 2 of the best-of-three set goes Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake.
In Friday’s contest neither side would connect on the score board in the opening 20 minutes.
Elliot Lake was quick to strike in the middle session however as Nick Long notched his first of the postseason at 1:56.
However, Sault Ste. Marie drew level during a power play five minutes into the second when Adam Ostrowski tied things up.
Up a man again a couple of shifts later the Eagles made it count once more as Trecroce buried the game-winner at 7:28.
A third power play tally helped the Soo strike with eight seconds left in the period as Trecroce slammed home another to make it 3-1.
The score stayed that until the late going when Chris Lutz secured the victory with an empty netter to secure the win.
The Eagles outshot the Wildcats 36-27 with Kade Phipps earning the triumph and Matt Kostiw the loss.
WEST DIVISION QUARTER-FINAL
No. 4 Soo Eagles vs. No. 5 Elliot Lake Wildcats
Eagles lead best-of-three series 1-0
Game 1: Soo Eagles 4 Elliot Lake 1
Game 2: Saturday, March 11 @ Elliot Lake 7:30 p.m. (Centennial Arena)
Game 3*: Tuesday, March 14 @ Soo Eagles 7:30 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
*- if necessary
