Game Photos: Bob Davies
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Noah Metivier, made 32 saves, including handling a third period shorthanded breakaway, to post his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout Saturday as the Soo Thunderbirds went on to blank the Espanola Express 6-0 at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
A power play chance midway through the first period helped Sault Ste. Marie open the scoring as Brock Santa Maria made a great pass to his left where he found Cooper Foster, who whipped it in at 10:10.
Heading to the middle stanza, the Thunderbirds converted early on thanks to Youssef Chaouachi picking up his initial NOJHL goal as he broke in on the left wing, made a quick move, and tucked the puck between the legs of Espanola netminder Reid Gates.
It stayed 2-0 for the Soo well into the third period when Foster bagged his second of the contest following some close range contact near the Express net.
The Thunderbirds extended their cushion as Kelsey Ouelett buried one off the post and in from the high slot for his first NOJHL goal.
Then just as a two-man advantage had expired in the late going, Samuel Lake scooped up his own rebound and capped off the scoring from close range to secure the decision at 18:01.
