Provincials up next for GNML champs

The Soo Thunderbirds are Great North Midget League champions.

In the return of GNML hockey in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, the Thunderbirds beat the New Liskeard Cubs 5-4 on Sunday night to win the league title in their first year in the league.

The Thunderbirds entered the league this season after the Soo North Stars took a leave of absence prior to the 2013-14 season.

“We went through a lot of adversity. There were a lot of doubters that thought we wouldn’t have a team,” said Thunderbirds Coach Jim Capy.

The Thunderbirds held off a third-period push by the Cubs in Sunday's win.

“They are resilient to say the least,” said Capy. “Both (games three and four), we had 4-1 leads and didn’t step on their throat. Maybe if we get the fifth goal (earlier), it sucks the heart out of them. They got their second goal and it’s a dog fight the rest of the way. Even when we scored the fifth one, it’s still a battle because they don’t quit.”

New Liskeard Coach Dan McDonald said he felt as though the Cubs could tie the game after making it 5-4 late.

“We never quit and we still kept believing on the bench,” said Cubs Coach Dan McDonald. “Once we got the fourth goal, I thought for sure we were going to get a dirty one at the end there.”

The Cubs would take the play to the Thunderbirds after the locals managed to kill off a four-minute penalty to Gage Stephney early in the final period.

“Our penalty killing in New Liskeard wasn’t very good,” said Capy. “We made some adjustments and did a great job. They’ve got some guys that you can’t give too much time and space to.”

Max Khull, Zach Senecal, Jared Fanti, Lucas Miller and Brendan Gillis scored for the Thunderbirds. Matt Murray set up a pair of goals for the locals.

Joey Roberts picked up the win in goal for the Thunderbirds.

“He came up big for us in this series and in the playoffs,” Capy said of Roberts.

Justin Brazeau scored a pair of goals for the Cubs in the game four loss. Defenceman Calvin Chartrand added a goal and an assist while Cade Herd, Jake Leveille and Gabriel Rheault set up two goals each. Cayse Ton also scored for New Liskeard.

“We battled back and never quit until the final buzzer,” said McDonald. “We had chances right at the end. It was a close series. We wanted to push it to a game five in New Liskeard but it wasn’t meant to be.”

The Thunderbirds were in position to win the best-of-five series on Sunday thanks to a 6-3 win on home ice on Saturday night.

Senecal had two goals in Saturday's win while Millar, Gillis, Fanti and Khull also scored. Devin Williams scored twice for New Liskeard while Rheault also scored. Chartrand assisted on two goals.

The Thunderbirds now advance to the Central Region Championship in Toronto which begins on Mar. 30.

(Photo: The Soo Thunderbirds celebrate their Great North Midget League championship on Sunday at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Brad Coccimiglio/SooToday)