SUDBURY, Ont. – A Jacob Palmerio goal on a partial break with 19 seconds left in the second overtime helped the Soo Eagles pull out a 4-3 come from behind victory over the Kirkland Like Gold Miners Tuesday in the sixth and final Day 1 contest of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.
First period play saw both sides score once with Justin Weinbrenner putting the Eagles in front before William Mizuik tied it for the Gold Miners.
Special teams allowed Kirkland Lake to go up 3-1 in the middle stanza thanks to a pair of Tyler Fyfe man advantage efforts.
Battling back early in the third, Sault Ste. Marie connected for goals 24 seconds apart to level the proceedings as Kobe Keller and Kyle Quinn connected in rapid succession.
The scored remained tied through the remainder of regulation and the first five-minute OT period sending the game to a second extra frame.
It was there that the Eagles pulled out the win late as Palmerio was sent in alone on Kirkland Lake netminder Cade McEwen by teammate Jake Saxton and he made no mistake by cutting right and then burying the game-winner.
Marshal Nikitin picked up two assists in defeat for the Gold Miners.
Carter McPhail faced 25 shots to pickup the win for the Soo.
McEwen was solid in the setback as he made 40 stops in the contest and picked up CCM Hockey player of the game honours for his side.
Keller earned the accolades for the Eagles.
Day 2 of the NOJHL Showcase goes Wednesday beginning at 11:15 a.m. back in Sudbury.