COCHRANE, Ont. – The Soo Eagles saw Dominic Skrelja score twice and add two assists to lead his side to a 6-1 victory over the Cochrane Crunch in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Saturday at Tim Horton Events Centre.
A couple of man advantage opportunities helped Sault Ste. Marie strike twice in the first period with George Orfanos and Blake Vaca both burying chances on the power play.
Cochrane did cut into the deficit before the session was complete though as they connected late while up a skater that saw Owen Perrala picking up his initial marker of the campaign.
Coming out quickly in the middle session, the Eagles went back up by two just 22 seconds in thanks to an early Skrelja effort.
It was more from the guests deep into the second as Brice French scored to give the Soo a 4-1 cushion after two periods of play.
Action in the final frame saw Eagles put the game away as Skrelja added his second of the night, during a power play, while teammate Stephen Smoody, at even strength, added to the cushion and rounded out the night’s scoring.
Vaca chipped in with a pair of assists for a three-point performance.
Making 35 saves, Shane Brancato recorded the win for the Soo.
Zach Wickson started for Cochrane and suffered the loss, allowing the six against on 33 saves while Carson Boutin handled all 10 attempts in nearly of 12 minutes of relief.
