Game Photos: Chelsea Solomon
ESPANOLA, Ont. – A 17-save effort by Nolan Chartrand for his initial Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout and a trio of power play tallies, including a pair by Tyson Doucette, sent the Soo Thunderbirds on their way to a 3-0 victory over the Espanola Express Friday at the Regional Recreation Complex.
Neither side would convert offensively in a scoreless first period thanks to the efforts of goaltenders Patrick Boivin of Espanola and Chartrand of Sault Ste. Marie.
Picking up a power play in the second stanza, the Thunderbirds were quick to convert with Doucette going upstairs from the left circle after taking a nice cross-ice feed from Brock Santa Maria, who in turn took a pass from Andrew Gibson.
Up a skater again later the second, the Soo notched another as recently acquired Dharan Cap deposited a spinning back hand, while free in front, for his first NOJHL goal.
The Thunderbirds helped confirm the road win with a third period extra-man effort that saw Gibson and Santa Maria team-up once again with the latter firing a sizzling set-up across to Doucette who whipped in his second of the night at 12:08 to round out the night’s scoring.
Santa Maria finished with three assists, joining Doucette with a three-point night, while Gibson chipped in with a pair of helpers.
While Chartrand got the win, Boivin faced 42 shots against in defeat.
