Thunderbirds fall to 0-2 in Manitoba

A tough start to the 2015 RBC Cup in Portage La Prairie, Man. got tougher on Monday night for the Soo Thunderbirds.

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champions fell to 0-2 after a 5-3 loss to the Melfort Mustangs of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League in a battle of 0-1 teams. Both teams had been shut out in their tournament openers.

The Mustangs scored three times in the opening period, chasing Thunderbirds netminder Brian Kment from the contest after the veteran gave up three goals on 10 shots in just under nine minutes of action.

“We weren’t ready to start the game and it showed,” said Thunderbirds Coach Jordan Smith. “Getting down 3-0 like that, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing, it’s obviously going to be hard to come back. I feel like this one has to come on my shoulders. I didn’t have the guys ready at the start of the game.”

Smith called missed assignments early on an issue in getting behind and make the start tough for Kment.

“I don’t think he can be blamed at all,” Smith said of Kment. “Again, it was too many missed assignments and we just weren’t ready to start the game. “

Mario Culina came in and stopped 20 shots the rest of the way for the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds made the game close with a pair of goals in the third period but couldn’t claw all the way back.

“We played a good third period, despite what the shots said,” Smith said. “As a staff, we were really happy about our third period.  We showed the compete level and determination that it’s going to take moving forward. “

Owen Headrick scored a pair of goals for the Thunderbirds while Matt Caruso had the other goal.

The Mustangs got goals from five different players in the win. Eric Young, Adam Fauchouxm Dexter Bricker, Travis Mayan and Regan Wilton completed the Melfort scoring while Eric Sinclair picked up a pair of assists.

Mustangs goaltender Richard Palmer made 16 saves.

The Melfort roster features an area tie as forward Cole Hyrsky hails from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

The tournament resumes on Tuesday afternoon as the Carleton Place Canadians (Central Canada Hockey League) put their 2-0 record on the line against the 1-1 Penticton Vees (British Columbia Hockey League).

The Thunderbirds then take the ice at 8 p.m. (eastern time) against the host-Portage Terriers. The Terriers enter the game with a 1-1 record.