Photos: Bob Davies
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds surged out to a big lead and never trailed en route to a 7-2 triumph over the Espanola Paper Kings Sunday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League preseason action John Rhodes Community Centre.
An early power play helped Sault Ste. Marie strike first and saw Britten Albert stuff in a chance from the left of Espanola starter Declan McNamara.
The Thunderbirds came back and tacked on another on a play provided Caleb Walker with a tap-in.
Continuing to carry the play, the Soo notched two more markers to go up by four, thanks to tallies from Aiden Atkinson and Sebastian Des Rois.
In the second stanza, the Thunderbirds broke it open with a three more goals to go up by seven as Espen Escasa, Nolan Nemecek and Nathan Dupuis all found the back of the net.
The Paper Kings did get on the board prior to the intermission, thanks to a Cain Savage shorthanded effort.
In the third, Luke Hill snapped one in for Espanola in the final moments to conclude the day’s scoring.
Lincoln Mellenthin and Peter Gartshore spilt time in net for the Soo in the win.
McNamara suffered the defeat between the pipes for the Paper Kings while Jack Helkie played the final half of the contest in relief for Espanola.
Both clubs will now finish up preparation for the start of the regular season, with the Thunderbirds visiting the Greater Sudbury Cubs on Sept. 12, while the Paper Kings host the Soo Eagles the following evening.
