NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, Jan. 8, 2016
Hepler strikes twice late to lift Wildcats past Eagles
ELLIOT Lake, Ont. – A pair of Cole Hepler third period goals helped the Elliot Lake Wildcats rally for a 4-3 come from behind win over the Soo Eagles Friday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Centennial Arena.
Shane Woolsey staked the Wildcats to the lead with the lone marker of the opening 20 minutes.
The power play allowed the Eagles to level the proceedings 15:09 into the second stanza on the 15th tally of the season by Nate Harris.
Sault Ste. Marie then went in front with just 10 seconds left in the middle frame on a Gord Helmuth effort.
Connor Rider tied it for Elliot Lake five and a half minutes into the third only to see Evan Ketner put the Eagles back in front just 61 seconds later.
Hepler then notched the equalizer at 8:17 then finished off his night with the game-winner on a man advantage effort just over five minutes later.
The performance by Hepler saw him score for a ninth consecutive game and run a point streak to 10 in the process.
Chad Lopez had two assists for the Wildcats as did teammates Matthew Colunga and Spencer MacLean.
Roman Gaudet dished out a pair of helpers for the Eagles.
Shots on goal in the contest favoured the Soo by a 33-27 count with Aaron Mackay earning the win while Cam Bruggrabe suffered the loss.
