Soo Survives Michigan Comeback, Wins 5-4
Published on November 21, 2013 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Soo Eagles News Release
The Michigan Warriors tried their best to erase a three-goal deficit, but the Soo Eagles would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.
Soo made the score 4-1 on a goal by Jacob McDowell at 1:24 in the third period, and Michigan got as close as 4-3 when Zack Szajner scored 8:53 into the third period.
The Eagles were led by Bruno Birzitis, who racked up one goal and one assist. Birzitis scored on the power play 12:43 into the third period to make the score 5-3 Soo. A high sticking penalty on Jake Faiella had put Soo on the power play. Derek Lodermeier assisted on the tally.
The Eagles forced their penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up six minors and two majors for 32 minutes in penalty time. Soo surpassed its season average of 18.0 penalty minutes per game. The Eagles' goal total was higher than their season average. Soo averages 2.1 goals per game. The 32 shots that the Eagles put on net surpassed Soo's average of 23.6 shots per game this season.
Soo also got points from Mike Sabatini, who also registered one goal and one assist, Lodermeier, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Denver Pierce, who also finished with one goal and one assist. In addition, Soo received assists from Ryan Urso, who had two and Sandis Zolmanis, Chase Matson, and Matthew Montemurro, who each chipped in one.
The Warriors racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with six minors and three majors for 37 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 19.0 minutes per game Michigan had been spending in the box. By firing 31 shots on goal, the Warriors exceeded the 28.0 shots they average per game this year.
Michigan also had goals scored by Cody Kuster and Jake Hopfner, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Michigan were Mitchell Wedding, who had two and John Nugent and Jon Farkas, who contributed one a piece.
Colin Brennan recorded 27 saves for the Eagles. Soo registered two goals on six power play opportunities. Michigan's Dillion Kelley stopped 27 shots out of the 32 that he faced. The Warriors registered one goal on five power play opportunities. Michigan ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Colin Larkin was ejected from the game.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 21, 2013
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- Soo Survives Michigan Comeback, Wins 5-4 - Soo Eagles
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