By Matt Stefano
After defeating the Blind River Beavers 7-5 Tuesday night at the Essar Centre and extending their winning streak to nine games, the Soo Thunderbirds were in Kirkland Lake Friday night for their second and final meeting against the Gold Miners.
With the Soo winning Kirkland Lake 3-1 back on November 25th, 2016 on Essar Centre ice, the T-Birds were looking to sweep the regular season series against them at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex Friday night.
The T-Birds winning streak reached double digits Friday night as they defeated the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 4-3 in overtime.
T-Birds overage forward Austin Kozluk had a pair of goals, including one on the power play while Keenan Eddy had his first career two assist game.
Captain Matt Caruso scored the overtime goal along with adding an assist.
Caruso’s overtime goal at 2:55 into extra time, was his 17th goal of the season and career goal No. 60 of his career.
Second year forward Zach Senecal had a power play goal for the Soo while Jake Behse and Mark Tassone set up a goal each.
Kevin Ford had a power play goal and an assist for the Gold Miners while Alex Storjohann also had a two point game with a goal and an assist.
Lucas Dolanjski had the other goal for Kirkland Lake while Matthew Brassard, Max Cavallini and Ashton Amaya all set up a goal each.
Gold Miners goalie Ridge Gerads gave up 4 goals on 29 shots in the loss while Brandon Gordon made 22 saves for the win.
The T-Birds, who have now extended their winning streak to ten games, are just the second team in the NOJHL to extend their winning streak to double digits this season.
The only other team to do so, is the Powassan Voodoos, who are the team the T-Birds will take on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. from the Powassan Sportsplex.
The Voodoos, who sit first overall in the NOJHL standings, are currently on a twenty one game winning streak.
(Photo of Matt Caruso credit to James Egan’s Sports Photography)
