Thunderbirds’ Schuch stymies Crunch

SUDBURY, Ont. – Soo Thunderbirds netminder Eric Schuch turned in another solid performance for his side Wednesday as his 32-save performance aided in a 3-0 win over the Cochrane Crunch at the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.

Sault Ste. Marie started strong in the contest grabbing a 2-0 lead after one period of play.

Alex Acosta picked up the eventual game-winner 2:22 in converting on an early man advantage.

Another power play later in the frame helped the Soo go up by two as Nick Smith connected at 10:36.

The Thunderbirds added one more 14 minutes into the middle stanza in what would be the final goal of the evening as Smith added his second of the contest and ninth overall.

Noah Solinger assisted on all three Soo tallies in the win.

Shayne Battler saw 39 shots fired his way in the loss for Cochrane.

The shutout was the second in a row for Schuch as he picked up CCM Hockey player of the game laurels for the Thunderbirds.

Caleb Dolman earned the accolades for the Crunch.