Eagles take two of three on NOJHL opening weekend

The Soo Eagles, the lone American entry in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) opened its 2021-22 regular season with three games on the September 24-26 weekend.

First up was a home and home set against the Espanola Express, Eagles dropping the first game Friday 4-0 but rebounding for a 4-2 win Saturday. Both games were played at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.

The first weekend road trip continued with a 5-2 win at the Centennial Arena against the host Elliot Lake Wings.

In the first game, the Express scored the lone first period goal, then aded two in the second and another down the stretch.

The following night, Chase Tallaire (’02/St. Ignace, MI) scored the first of the game and first of the season for the Eagles and he also added the game winner late in the second period. Jacob Swiatek (’03/DesPlaines, IL) and Max Povorozniouk (’02/Northbrook, IL) fired the other Eagles’ goals and Gabe Rosek (’01/East Lansing, MI) stopped 35 of 37 Express shots to pick up the win in goal.

On Sunday at Elliot Lake the Eagles carried a 2-1 lead out of the first period and added two more unanswered in the middle frame, both scoring once in the third.

Isaiah Gagerman (’02/Glenview, IL); Sam Holy (’01/Schiller Park, IL); Tallaire, Jack Mortson (’02/Westland, MI) and Povorozniouk fired the Eagles’ goals and Rosek kicked out another 40 for his second win.