Team NOHA has earned a split in their opening day of competition at the 2013 OHL Cup Showcase Tournament in Mississauga.
Rebounding from a tough 3-1 loss at the hands of the Toronto Marlboros in the morning, the northern crew doubled Elite Hockey 6-3 on Wednesday night, keeping their hopes alive of moving through to quarter-final play.
Having dropped a 4-3 decision to the Barrie Jr. Colts on Tuesday, the Marlies jumped all over Team NOHA in the early goings, bolting to a 2-0 first-period lead courtesy of goals from Mitchell Stephens and Dylan Strome.
Ryan Hunt increased the lead to 3-0 with the only goal of the middle stanza before local defenceman Cameron Lizotte put the north on the board, scoring early in the third.
Sault Ste. Marie blueliner Alex Morin was recognized as the player of the game for the northern lads, while local product Kevin Labelle was tagged with the loss between the pipes.
Game 2 featured a very balanced attack for coach Craig Duncanson and company as six different NOHA skaters found their way onto the scoresheet.
Matthew Caruso, Brody Brunet, Scott Villeneuve, Blake Speers, Jason Uhl and Lizotte scored one goal apiece, with Speers recognized as the game MVP for Team NOHA.
Onaping Falls native Mackenzie Savard picked up the win in net for the NOHA, with Jeremy Bracco scoring twice in a losing cause for Elite Hockey.
Team NOHA has just one game on the schedule today, battling the Eastern Ontario Wild at 10 a.m. before closing out round-robin play Friday afternoon, facing Barrie.
