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In a cross-border season opener, it was the visitors who drew first blood.
A pair of goals in the opening period followed by two more in the final 20 minutes lifted the Soo (Mich.) Eagles to a 4-1 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory over the Soo Thunderbirds at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The game marked the regular season opener for both clubs.
Vincent Anderson opened the scoring for the Eagles, potting a loose puck from the right faceoff circle after a shot from the right point by Michael Starzomski was blocked on its way to the net.
Chase Tallaire made it 2-0 Eagles in the final minute of the opening period when he took a pass in the right circle from Teig Driessen on a 2-on-1 and beat Bourret high stick side.
Just over five minutes into the second period, Brock Santa Maria took a pass at the top of the left faceoff circle, skated along the blueline, then moved into the right side of the slot before beating Eagles netminder Logan Raffaele in the late stages of a power play.
Midway through the third period, former Thunderbirds forward Kenny Belanger Jr. made it 3-1 Eagles as he redirected a pass in the slot from Brian Fiddes on a 2-on-1.
Fiddes capped off the scoring with an empty net goal in the final minute of regulation time.
Bourret stopped 24 shots for the Thunderbirds in the loss.
Belanger Jr. and Fiddes finished the night with a goal and an assist each for the visitors.
Raffaele stopped 29 shots for the Eagles in the win.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Saturday night at home against the Elliot Lake Red Wings. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is 7 p.m.