The Soo Thunderbirds remain in a battle atop the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division and a pair of third period goals on Saturday was the difference between sitting in a tie for second or a tie for first.
Goals by Noah Boman and Nolan Ford helped the Thunderbirds to a 4-3 win over the Hearst Lumberjacks on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The win lifts the Thunderbirds into a first-place tie with the Rayside Balfour Canadians atop the West Division. The Thunderbirds, who have a record of 12-3-0-0, have seven games in hand on the Canadians.
The Blind River Beavers sit two points out of top spot in the division.
Boman, Nick Smith and Matthew Bazarin had a goal and an assist each for the Thunderbirds.
Goaltender William Anderson stopped 20 shots.
Jake Desando had a goal and an assist for Hearst.
Max Griffioen and Davely Fortin also scored for the Lumberjacks. Goaltender Tomi Gagnon stopped 17 shots.
Hearst falls to 7-8-1-0 with the loss.
The Thunderbirds wrap up weekend action on Sunday afternoon against the Timmins Rock. Timmins enters the game having won nine of 10 games, including a 4-2 win over the Soo (Mich.) Eagles at Pullar Stadium on Saturday night.
Puck drop at the John Rhodes on Sunday between the Thunderbirds and Rock is set for 2 p.m.