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The Soo Thunderbirds used four goals in a stretch of just over six minutes to break open what was a close game through 20 minutes on Friday night against the Elliot Lake Wildcats in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.
Colton Hayes scored twice while Jacob Kovacs and Kevin Parra-Vaughan also scored in a span of 6:36 in the second period as the Thunderbirds cruised to an 11-3 win over the Wildcats at Centennial Arena.
Hayes and Kovacs had two goals each while Nick Smith had a goal and three assists.
Parra-Vaughan and Avery Rebek had a goal and two assists each for the Thunderbirds.
Tyler Savard set up three goals for the Thunderbirds.
Tristan Cicchello added a goal and an assist.
Kurtis Rogers and Tyler Dunbar completed the Sault scoring.
Dakota Meyer stopped 33 shots for the Thunderbirds, who improve to 10-9-1-2 with the win.
Owen Kruse and Connor Taylor had a goal and an assist for Elliot Lake.
Jake Rhoades also scored for the Wildcats.
Newly acquired goaltender Jonathan Lemaire got the start for Elliot Lake, making 22 saves before being pulled after the Thunderbirds seventh goal.
Parker Simpson stopped 19 of 23 shots the rest of the way in just over 30 minutes of action.
Elliot Lake falls to 3-16-1-0 with the loss.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Sunday afternoon with a home game against the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is set for 2 p.m.