Spina's hat trick goal wins it for Hawks

Nathan Spina’s third goal of the game, with just 16 seconds remaining, was the difference as the Northern Hawks edged the Screaming Eagles 5-4 Thursday in Thunder Bay Jr. B/Juvenile/AAA Hockey League action at Delaney Arena.

Cory Scali would give the Hawks the lead with the only tally of the opening period as he beat Eagles’ netminder Curtis Barker at 9:03.

The second stanza saw plenty of offence with the two sides combining for six goals.

After Spina tallied twice to make it 3-0 before the midway mark of the middle frame, the Eagles struck three times 2:30 apart to level the proceedings.

Ryan Witherspoon got the Eagles on the board before Jarred Sugarhead and Kevin Mamakwa notched power play markers to give even the score.

Josh Elvish would answer back with a shorthanded effort to make it 4-3 Hawks after 40 minutes.

The Eagles would pull level once again with their third man advantage goal of the night at 7:18 setting the stage for Spina’s late game-winner just as an Eagles’ penalty was expiring.

Shots on goal favoured the Hawks 34-31 with Jordan George picking up the win and Barker suffering the loss.

With the victory the front-running Northern Hawks improved to 18-3-2 while the first-year Screaming Eagles slipped to 4-15-4.

League play resumes Friday as the Thunder Bay Jr. B Stars travel to Nipigon to take on the Elks at 7:30 p.m.