NOJHL Showcase comes to a close as Thunderbirds get past Crunch in penalty-filled affair

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase came to a close Wednesday evening at Big Bear Arena as the Soo Thunderbirds got past the Cochrane Crunch 4-1 in a penalty-filled affair.

A hard-hitting opening 20 minutes saw Sault Ste. Marie collect the lone tally of the session as Daniel Bazarin was credited with a goal that eluded Cochrane starter Cody Levesque at 16:48.

Second stanza action saw the undisciplined play continue with both sides seeing players ejected with major penalties and game misconducts.

However, the Thunderbirds did score twice as Tyler Savard, at even strength early, and Nolan Ford, during a two-man advantage at 14:37, put the Soo up by three heading into the final frame.

Multiple infractions in the third did see Cochrane get on the board thanks to a Stephen Minichiello effort.

Another lengthy power play helped Sault Ste. Marie’s Savard add another late to round out the scoring.

Dakota Meyer in the Thunderbirds net made 29 saves to pick up the win while Levesque faced 31 attempts in defeat.