GALLERY: Thunderbirds handle Rapids

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016

Thunderbirds handle Rapids

NOELVILLE, Ont. – Less than 24 hours after having a 10-game winning streak snapped by the red-hot Powassan Voodoos, the Soo Thunderbirds returned to the victory column Sunday afternoon by defeating the French River Rapids 6-2 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at Noelville Arena.

Austin Hickner staked the Rapids to an early lead three and a half minutes into the contest, but Sault Ste. Marie struck three times before the first period was complete to take control.

Ryan Mulligan and Greg Smith connected 52 seconds apart while Noah Solinger made it 3-1 at 17:18 of the session.

Solinger added his second of the day in the middle session to put the T-Birds up by three while teammate Ryan Waterhouse extended the cushion at 11:08.

Dew Tobobandung got one back for the Rapids 4:45 into the final stanza, but Matthew Caruso’s 18th finished things off for the Soo on the next shift.

Keegan Stevenson dished out a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds to aid their offensive cause.

Dougie Newhouse finished with 22 saves to record the win.

Korlan Vader started for French River and suffered the loss allowing five against on 24 attempts while Rapids’ affiliate netminder Nicholas Laroque stopped 20 of 21 in just under 29 minutes of relief.

Photos by Dal Photography