Thunderbirds eliminated from playoff contention

The Soo Thunderbirds have been eliminated from playoff contention at the 2015 RBC Cup in Portage La Prairie, Man.

The Thunderbirds dropped to 0-3 at the five-team tournament after a 7-2 loss to the host-Portage Terriers on Tuesday night.

Brad Bowles scored three times and assisted on another to pace the Terriers offensively. The Terriers scored a pair of goals in the opening period and added three more in the second period en route to the win.

Grant Valiquette, Tanner Jago, Carson Perreaux and Jordyn Boyd also scored for the Terriers, who scored a pair of power play goals and added a shorthanded marker against the Thunderbirds.

Portage goaltender Zac Robidoux stopped 15 shots.

Mario Culina got the start for the Thunderbirds, stopping 23 shots before being pulled after the seventh Portage goal. Brian Kment came in and stopped all four shots he faced in the final eight minutes of the game.

Anthony Miller and Eric Hillock completed the Thunderbirds scoring.

The Thunderbirds wrap up the round robin on Thursday afternoon (3 p.m. eastern time) against the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League.

In Tuesday’s other game, Connor Chartier’s goal at 5:21 of the third period was the game winner as Penticton beat the Carleton Place Canadians 4-3. Steen Cooper had a goal and an assist for the Vees.

Andy Sturtz had a goal and an assist for Carleton Place.

The round robin continues on Wednesday as Carleton Place faces the Melfort Mustangs.

Thursday’s other game sees Melfort face the Portage Terriers in the final game of the round robin.