Special teams goals lift Eagles over Thunderbirds (8 photos)

As the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season winds down, the Soo Thunderbirds’ and Soo (Mich.) Eagles continue to battle for positioning in the standings.

The two teams are separated by three points after the Eagles skated to a 6-3 win over the Thunderbirds on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Special teams played a major role for the Eagles in the contest as the team scored twice with the man advantage and two more goals while shorthanded.

Colton Hayes, Rylan Clemons, and Will Josephson scored for the Thunderbirds.

Dakota Meyer got the start in goal for the Thunderbirds but was pulled after the Eagles fourth goal. Meyer finished the night with 14 saves.

Sam Evola entered the game and stopped 18 of 20 shots the rest of the way.

Making his first NOJHL start, Eagles goaltender Gabe Rosek made 36 saves.

Joel Brandinger paced the Eagles offensively with two goals and an assist.

George Orfanos chipped in with a goal and an assist while Hayden Clark and Caleb Wood also had two-point nights with a pair of assists each.

Chase Tallaire, Bobby Price, and Jake Lamberty also scored for the Eagles, who improve to 28-21-2-3.

The Thunderbirds fall to 29-18-2-4.

With a narrow lead on the Eagles in the standings, the Thunderbirds have a game in hand on the Eagles and three regular season games remaining, including a matchup on Sunday on the road against the Espanola Express.