By Brad Coccimiglio
SooToday.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009

Even though a win’s a win, it wasn’t pretty at times.

The Soo Thunderbirds came away with a narrow 4-3 win over the Michigan Soo Eagles on Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

“I was happy with the way we played, but I’m not happy with the way we’re executing and finishing,” said Thunderbirds coach Pat Carricato. “We’ve got to bear down and finish our chances.”

Carricato also noted a pair of plays defensively he wasn’t pleased with late in the game.

With the Thunderbirds up 3-2 in the third period, defenseman Dylan Connolly, who set up a pair of goals in the win, turned the puck over in the defensive zone which led to Brian Depp knotting the game at three.

The other, in the final minute of play, saw defensemen Drew Otto and Kevin Smith combined to turn the puck over to the Eagles. The Eagles were turned aside on a late flurry by Thunderbirds goaltender Ryan McDonald.

Eagles coach Paul Theriault was pleased with the play of goaltender Michael Doan but took issue with the slow start of his club.

“We hung in there,” said Theriault. “Michael Doan played very well. We played better in the second half (of the game).

“I don’t think we played the game the way we should play or could play and you have to do that when you’re playing here (against the Thunderbirds).”

In addition to Depp, Aaron Leonard had a goal and an assist while Kevin Michelcavage also scored. Ryan Axsom added a pair of assists in the loss for the Eagles. Doan stopped 39 shots.

Colin Barnauskas and Tyler Evoy had a goal and an assist each for the Thunderbirds. Otto and Michael Schug also scored for the Thunderbirds while McDonald made 13 saves.

Carricato also noted the number of chances that went unfinished by the Thunderbirds, who outshot the Eagles 43-16.

“There’s no way that team (the Eagles) should have been in the game,” Carricato said. “No way at all. Yes, their goaltender was fantastic. I don’t care how good their goaltender is, those chances that we had have got to be in the back of the net. That’s just guys not bearing down in the shooting areas. When they’ve got a chance to score, they’re taking their time and taking it for granted.”

Prior to the game, the Thunderbirds honoured Korean War veteran Cpl. Don Gibbs, who dropped the ceremonial opening faceoff prior to a moment of silence.

Next action for both teams is Friday night when both teams faceoff for the back end of their home-and-home series at Pullar Stadium in Sault, Michigan.