Hockey Notebook: Thunderbirds on verge of advancing in NOJHL

The Soo Thunderbirds are one victory from advancing in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs after a pair of weekend games.

The Thunderbirds picked up an 11-0 win over the Blind River Beavers on Sunday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre to take a 3-0 lead in their first round playoff series. The win came 24 hours after the Thunderbirds beat the Beavers 10-1 in game two of the series in Blind River.

Owen Headrick paced the Thunderbirds with four goals in Sunday’s victory. Matt Caruso scored three times and assisted on another goal while Jaren Bellini added a goal and three assists. Defenceman Brandon Grandinetti assisted on four goals. Devin Shell had a goal and two assists for the Thunderbirds. Brett Jeffries and David Radke also scored.

Goaltender Brian Kment stopped all 13 shots he faced for the Thunderbirds.

On Saturday, Caruso scored three times while Bellini had two goals and an assist for the Thunderbirds. Eric Hillock also had three points with a goal and two assists. Radke, Matt Busby, Anthony Miller and Matthew Mitchell also scored. Mario Culina made 18 saves.

Matt DaCosta had the lone Blind River goal on Saturday.

Game four in the series is Tuesday night in Blind River.

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EAGLES SWEEP HOME SERIES.

As the North American Hockey League regular season winds down, the Soo Eagles picked up a pair of wins over the weekend.

On Friday night, Jack Berry made 27 saves as the Eagles opened the weekend with a 2-1 victory. Brad Pung and Matt Menta scored for the Eagles while Patrik Koch assisted on both goals.

Alex Blankenburg made 45 saves for Keystone while Matt Jones had the lone Ice Miners goal.

On Saturday night. Chad Catt made 25 saves as the Eagles completed the sweep with a 4-1 win. Trevor Cope scored a pair of goals while Darren Brady added a goal and an assist. Pung picked up two assists. Denver Pierce also scored.

Michael Maiden scored Keystone’s lone goal on Saturday.

The sweep improves the Eagles record to 30-23-2 as the team prepares for three road games against the Johnstown Tomahawks beginning on Mar. 20.

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LAKERS SWEPT FROM PLAYOFFS

The Lake Superior State Lakers Western Collegiate Hockey Association season has come to a close.

The Lakers were swept from the opening round of the WCHA playoffs at the hands of Minnesota State.

On Friday night, Jean-Paul Lafontaine had a goal and three assists as Minnesota State won the series opener 9-2. Matt Leitner added two goals and an assist while Max Gaede, Casey Nelson, Dylan Margonari, Bryce Gervais, Chase Grant and Brett Knowles also scored.

Stephen Perfetto and Gus Correale scored for the Lakers in Friday’s loss.

On Saturday night, Margonari scored a pair of goals as Minnesota State completed the sweep with a 4-2 victory. Gervais and Brad McLure also scored for the Mavericks.

Ryan Renz and Austin McKay scored for the Lakers.