NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
Thunderbirds wins 6th straight
ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – Aidan Salerno’s first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League goal, 14:44 into the first period proved to be the game-winner as the soaring Soo Thunderbirds won their sixth straight game, a 4-1 decision over the Elliot Lake Wildcats Friday at Centennial Arena.
Sault Ste. Marie also improved to 18-1 in their past 19 outings and 23-2 overall with the triumph.
The visiting Thunderbirds took flight just over five minutes into the contest on a Matt Caruso effort.
Elliot Lake came right back and secured the tying tally just 46 seconds later on Cole Hepler’s 11th of the campaign as he extended a consecutive game point streak to four in the process.
Salerno’smarker put the T-Birds back in front for good later in the period to give his side a 2-1 lead through one.
Drake Pilon made it 3-1 with a man advantage effort midway through the contest as they went up by a pair after 40 minutes.
An extra man effort courtesy of Jaren Bellini added some insurance for the Soo with 4:04 to go to round out the night’s scoring.
Mario Culina made 23 saves in winning for a fourth straight time since rejoining the Thunderbirds last month from the OHL.
Al Rogers faced 33 shots in defeat for the Wildcats who saw their overall record slip to 14-7-4-1.
