ESPANOLA, Ont. – A Dominic Skrelja power play goal 2:50 into overtime lifted the Soo Eagles to their fifth Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory in a row Saturday as they edged the Espanola Express 4-3 at the Regional Recreation Complex.
It was Sault Ste. Marie that also opened the scoring nearly five minutes into the contest thanks to Tommy Buis was picked up his first NOJHL goal.
After Espanola tied it at 8:50 of the second stanza on a Jackson Legro effort, the Eagles came back to regain the lead before the period was complete on Caleb Wood’s 10th of the year.
A man advantage in the third period helped the Express draw level once more when Zach Trempner’s third evened things up at 7:45.
Espanola then took their first lead of the night with just over eight minutes remaining off the stick of Matais Salem.
Back and forth they went, with the Soo knotting the score once more as Wood connected on the power play with five and a half minutes remaining in regulation.
Heading to extra time and up a skater, Skrelja wheeled out of the corner and skated into the high slot where he spun and whipped the game-winner past Express netminder Joel Rainville to extend the Soo’s winning streak.
Shane Brancato made 39 saves to record the win for the Eagles while Rainville 29 saves helped Espanola secure a point in defeat.
