Tyler Marble was superb between the pipes for the Soo Eagles, as he did not allow a goal in a 2-0 victory over the Janesville Jets.

Soo was led by Mike Sabatini, who tallied one goal. Sabatini scored 6:40 into the third period to make the score 1-0 Soo. Matt Menta provided the assist.

The Eagles' defensive play was more effective than usual against Janesville. Soo gives up 2.4 goals on average per game. By firing 45 shots on goal, the Eagles exceeded the 28.2 shots they average per game this year.

Soo also got a goal from Jared VanWormer as well. More assists for Soo came via Alex Robert, Sean Murphy, and Eric Rivard, who each chipped in one.

The Jets managed to stay out of the box better than usual, finishing with one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Janesville wound up below its season average of 21.0 penalty minutes per game. The Jets were held below their usual level of production. Janesville puts an average of 2.4 pucks into the net per game. With 26 shots on target during the contest, the Jets exceeded the 18.0 shots they average per game this year.

Janesville was led by Jason Ford, who took three shots.

Marble recorded 26 saves for Soo. The Eagles incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors and had no power play opportunities. Brock Kautz made 43 saves for the Jets on 45 shots. Janesville registered zero goals on two power play opportunities.

The Soo Eagles relied on the sparkling performance of Tyler Marble in net to grab a 6-1 win against the Janesville Jets.

Janesville's power play was ineffective against Soo's penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded.

The Eagles were led by Robin Hoglund, who grabbed one goal and one assist. Hoglund scored 11:36 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Soo.

Soo surpassed its usual scoring output this season. This season, the Eagles average 3.4 goals per contest. With 40 shots on target during the contest, Soo exceeded the 27.9 shots it averages per game this year.

Soo also got points from Pat Thompson, who also had one goal and one assist, Brandon Adams, who also registered two goals and one assist to lead the team in points, Mike Sabatini, who also finished with one goal and one assist, and Matt Menta, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. In addition, Soo received assists from Kyle Froese, Sean Murphy, Jared VanWormer, and Michael Crowley, who contributed one a piece.

The Jets kept the Eagles' goalie busy throughout the game, and Marble made 35 saves on 36 shots.

Janesville was led by Kucerovy, who scored the team's only goal. Kucerovy scored on the power play 18:54 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Soo. The Jets earned a power play opportunity when JD Cotroneo was put in the box for interference. Jason Ford picked up the assist.

Soo incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors. Brock Kautz took the loss and made 26 saves before being replaced by Austin Priebe who made eight saves. Janesville incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.

By Randy Russon – Miki Media
 
We begin an early March tour in Sault Ste. Marie where the Soo Eagles are positioned to finish atop the North Division in their first season as a North American Hockey League franchise. Then we shift to the playoff race in the North Division where the bottom four teams are vying for the final two post-season spots.
 
EAGLES NEST
 
The Showcase Tournament of mid-September did not provide the Soo Eagles with the start they wanted to their first NAHL season.
 
Read more...

The Soo Eagles took the lead against the Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings in the first period and maintained it until the end of the game to secure a tight 3-1 victory.
A goal 14:32 into the the first period by Alex Robert proved to be the game winner, and powered Soo to the victory The Eagles had taken the advantage when Kalamazoo's Christian George got sent off for slashing. Alexander Taulien provided the assist.

Sean Murphy was all over the ice for Soo, as he racked up two goals in the win. Murphy's tallies came on the power play at 3:57 into the third period to make the score 2-0 Soo and 19:55 into the third to make the score 3-1 Soo.

The Eagles were led by goalie Tyler Marble, who finished with 36 saves while allowing one goal. Marble managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 2.39 prior to the game.

Soo excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in six chances. The Eagles relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Taulien, Murphy and Brandon Adams took 14 of the team's 27 shots.

Other players who recorded assists for Soo were Jared VanWormer, who had two.

The Jr. K-Wings were held below their usual level of production. Kalamazoo averages 3.2 goals per game. The Jr. K-Wings' offense rang up 37 shots on Soo's net.

Kalamazoo was led by Mike Fazio, who scored the team's only goal. Fazio scored 18:45 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Soo. Brendan Vetter picked up the assist.

The Eagles incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors. Alex Okicki recorded 24 saves for the Jr. K-Wings. Kalamazoo incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.

By Randy Russon
 
A dandy duo of 1992 birth year forwards from Soo Eagles of the North American Hockey League have secured National Collegiate Athletic Association commitments for the 2013-2014 season.
 
Jared VanWormer is headed to the Ferris State Bulldogs, a Division 1 powerhouse that will be part of the exodus from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association to the Western Collegiate Athletic Association effective next season.  And Brandon Adams is off to the Oswego State Lakers of the Division 3, State University of New York Athletic Conference. Oswego State has a reputation as one of the top D3 programs in the United States.
 
VanWormer, who joined the Eagles this season from the erstwhile Traverse City North Stars, is the Soo's leading point-getter at the 50-game mark of the current campaign with 20-40-60 totals. He said a number of factors played into his decision to commit to Ferris State for next season.
 
"I am quite familiar with the hockey program at Ferris as a number of guys who I have played with are already there," said VanWormer. "There's that comfort factor, plus Ferris State is only about an hour and 15 minute drive from where my family lives in Traverse City. Plus, Ferris State has a good reputation for hockey and academics and I really liked what I saw when I went there for my official visit."
 
The 6-foot, 195 pound Van Wormer said knowing that he is headed to Ferris State next season takes a weight off of his shoulders.
 
"It's a relief," he related. "I have worked hard for this opportunity and I intend to make the most of it. Now I can fully concentrate on the rest of this season with the Eagles and hopefully help our team go to the Robertson Cup."
 
VanWormer said he likes playing for Eagles coach Bruno Bragagnolo and enjoys the Sault Ste. Marie hockey atmosphere.
 
"Bruno's a good coach who lets you play while making you accountable. It's been really good playing for him and it's been a different experience leaving home to play hockey in Sault Ste. Marie. It's been an enjoyable season," said VanWormer, who plans to study Business at Ferris State.
 
As for Adams, who joined the Eagles midway through this 2012-2013 season after leaving the Division 1, NCAA program at Holy Cross for financial reasons, he said making a commitment to Oswego State for 2013-2014 "seemed like the right fit for me.
 
"The combination of academics and athletics at Oswego is second to none," said the 5-foot-11, 200 pound Adams, who intends to major in Criminal Justice.
 
Adams, who is from the Chicago area, has 23 points, including 12 goals, in just 18 games with the Eagles this season. He called his decision to leave Holy Cross to return to junior hockey, specifically the Eagles and the NAHL, "a great opportunity that has provided success at a personal and team level. It's been such a  great experience playing for Bruno and the Soo Eagles."
 
Meanwhile, the low-key, no-nonsense Bragagnolo was rather expressive when discussing the NCAA commitments made by VanWormer and Adams.
 
"First of all, on behalf of the entire Soo Eagles organization, we are very happy for Jared and Brandon. Jared is the type of player that every team needs to be successful. His combination of exceptional skill, leadership abilities and work ethic are unmatched by anyone and I will be looking forward to watching him play as a Ferris State Bulldog next year. As for Brandon, he has made a great decision to go to Oswego State as they are a perennial power every year. His speed and scoring ability along with his work ethic have been a strong asset for the Eagles and I am sure they will be the same for Osewgo State."
 
VanWormer and Adams join goalie Tyler Marble (Division 1, Lake Superior State) and forward Denver Pierce (Division 1, Northern Michigan) as Eagles who have future NCAA commitments.
 

A hat trick by Sean Murphy was the highlight in Eagles' 6-5 win against the Springfield Jr. Blues.
Murphy got on the scoresheet 2:36 into the second period. He then added goals at 12:38 into the third and at 17:53 into the third.

The Soo Eagles' goal total was higher than their season average. This season, Soo averages 3.3 goals per contest. The Eagles struggled on the penalty kill, allowing Springfield to score four power play goals on seven chances. Soo relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as Murphy, Jared VanWormer and Brandon Adams took 17 of the team's 30 shots. The Eagles could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 24 minutes in penalties during the game.

Soo additionally got points from Adams, who also tallied one goal and one assist and VanWormer, who also had two goals and two assists to lead the team in points. More assists for Soo came via Chris Waterstreet, who had two, Eric Rivard, who had three, and Kyle Froese and Michael Lant, who contributed one a piece.

The Jr. Blues managed to stay out of the box better than usual, finishing with one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Springfield finished below its season average of 15.0 penalty minutes per game. The Jr. Blues outdid their season average for goals scored. Springfield has scored at the pace of 2.6 goals per game during the current campaign. The 56 shots that the Jr. Blues put on net surpassed Springfield's average of 26.4 shots per game this season.

The Jr. Blues were led by Brett Skibba, who registered two goals and two assists. Skibba scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 5:17 into the third period to make the score 3-3. Springfield had taken the advantage when Soo's Mike Sabatini got sent off for holding. Davis Dekorte picked up the assist. Skibba's next tally on the power play made the score 4-3 Springfield with 9:21 left in the third period. The Jr. Blues had gotten the advantage when the Eagles' VanWormer was sent off for tripping. Terry Leibo assisted on the tally. Springfield also got points from Mike Severson, who also registered one goal and one assist. Springfield also got a goal from Nate Chasteen as well. In addition, Springfield received assists from Jack Sloan, Ryan Atkinson, and Jon Carkeek, who each chipped in one.

Soo's Tyler Marble stopped 51 shots out of the 56 that he faced. The Eagles registered zero goals on one power play opportunities. Matt Leon rejected 24 shots on goal for Springfield.