Jolicoeur scores late to lift Nickel Barons over T-Birds

A Martin Jolicoeur goal with 2:34 remaining was the difference as the Sudbury Nickel Barons edged the Soo Thunderbirds 2-1 Wednesday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at McClelland Arena.

Goaltenders Alex Laino of Sudbury and Joel Horodziejczyk of Sault Ste. Marie were both impressive in this one finishing up with 37 and 42 saves on the night respectively.

Following a scoreless opening frame Nickel Barons’ captain Darcy Haines opened the scoring notching his team-leading 23rd tally of the season at 4:34 of the middle stanza.

Adam Ritchie pulled the Soo level eight minutes later to knot the score at 1-1 after two periods of play.

With overtime looming, Jolicoeur won it in the late going, helping his side improve to 14-11 on the year.

The first place T-Birds lost for just the third time in regulation this season as their record slipped to 17-3-2-2.