On Saturday, November 16th, the Varsity Hockey team went up against the Sault Blue Devils for a marquis match-up. The Eagles were looking to avenge a 4-1 prior season loss against the gritty Devils. The Soo had something else in mind. 

Sophomore Hunter Bennett got the nod between the pipes for his first start and the Eagles first big test of the season. The teams traded shots and puck possession early in the game but both goalies held firm. It wasn't until late in the first when freshman D Vincent Modica stole a Soo pass at center ice, gained the zone and double clutched an unstoppable wrist shot over the blocker of the Sault High net-minder. 1-0 after one.

Assistant Coach McElwee on Modica's goal: "Last week I asked Modica to watch the Red Wings' OT game winner vs. Pittsburgh because that's what we want from him. I don't know if he did watch it but his goal was a carbon copy and really lifted us up."

Modica's goal held the Eagles on by a thread until a reckless Blue Devil play gifted a five minute powerplay to the Eagles with under seven minutes in the game. With a minute to go in the powerplay, Bryce Martin controlled the puck deep into the Blue Devils' zone while Killian Voorhies disappeared among the Sault High defenders. But Martin never lost sight of Voorhies and neatly found him in the low slot where Voorhies banged home the critical insurance goal. 

How critical? The Sault finally cracked Bennett's 22 shot shut-out egg with under two minutes remaining. The Eagles successfully fought off the Blue Devils' attempts to tie the game in a frantic last 90 seconds. Final score Eagles 2 Blue Devils 1. 

Coach Ronayne: "This weekend was an opportunity to find how strong our character is. We had some adversity in the waning moments of the game but they kept their heads and wits to focus on the win. Everybody contributed including a lot of players not on the scoresheet. It's a good foundation for us to build on going forward."