Short-staffed Thunderbirds beat Beavers

A short-staffed Soo Thunderbirds team continued their winning ways on Friday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

The Thunderbirds, without veterans Adam Ritchie, Greg Sartoretto as well as coach Warren LaVoy for various reasons, beat the Blind River Beavers 5-2 at the Essar Centre.

Recently-acquired forward Dallas McLaughlin scored a pair of goals and set up another in the win while veteran Derek Battagin added a goal and two assists.

Anthony Butorac and Darcy Casola also scored for the Thunderbirds in the win while goaltender Steven Dombrowski stopped 27 shots.

Scott Marshall had a goal and an assist for the Beavers in the loss while Tyler Brown also scored. Goaltender Aaron Cormier stopped 25 shots.

With the win the Thunderbirds record improves to 14-1-1-2, which includes the seven-straight wins the team has reeled off since losing to Blind River in overtime on Oct. 12. The Thunderbirds lone loss in regulation came on Sept. 23 when they dropped a 6-3 decision in North Bay.

They Thunderbirds now prepare for four games on the road, beginning on Nov. 16 in Kirkland Lake against the Gold Miners. The game opens a three-games-in-three-nights trip that also takes them to Iroquois Falls and North Bay.

Photo courtesy JIm Egan