NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016
Ryckman posts 1st NOJHL shutout as Thunderbirds blank Express
ESPANOLA, Ont. – Soo Thunderbirds goaltender Connor Ryckman stopped all 35 shots he faced Sunday afternoon to post his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout as he backstopped his side to a 4-0 road victory over the Espanola Express at the Regional Recreation Complex.
Sault Ste. Marie picked up the lone tally in the opening 20 minutes as Matthew Caruso collected his team-leading 21st goal of the season at 16:18 of the session.
The Thunderbirds then broke it open in the second stanza as they tacked on three more to go up by four through 40 minutes.
Joey Miller had a pair of markers, one shorthanded and another on the power play, in the period while Drake Pilon supplied a single at even strength as the Soo skaters now have 11 and 10 markers respectively on the campaign.
Ryckman took over from there handling everything fired his way, including 18 attempts in the final frame, to secure the decision for the T-Birds.
Jaren Bellini dished out a pair of assists for the Soo in their triumph.
Kevin Labelle saw 38 attempts fired his way in defeat for the Express.
