COCHRANE, Ont. – A Tyler Boudreau third-period tally was the decider as the Soo Thunderbirds went on to edge the Cochrane Crunch 3-2 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Saturday at Tim Horton Events Centre.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Cochrane got on the board early in the middle frame when Michael Leech finished off a two-on-one when his attempt appeared to be partially deflected by a Sault Ste. Marie defender before squeezing by netminder Kolton Bourret.
The Thunderbirds came back to tie it courtesy of Youssel Chaouachi at 6:40 when he wired a shot into the short-side corner on Jake Dubinsky of the Crunch.
However, the hosts countered quickly and saw Nathan MacDonald restore the lead on the next shift as he came out of the corner and managed to shovel one in from the top of the crease.
Drawing even once more, the Soo drew level late in the frame compliments of Alex Remenda, who redirected a nice pass in front from Samuel Lake.
Breaking the deadlock in the third was the Thunderbirds’ Boudreau as he put his shot through a partial screen and got it by Dubinsky from the high slot for his third of the season.
Cochrane got their goalie out for an additional skater late in regulation to try and tie it and force overtime, by the Soo held firm defensively to secure the road win.
The result helped the T-Birds move to 36-14-3-3, while in defeat, the Crunch fell to 7-48-1-1.