Dias carries T-Birds to win over Skyhawks

Despite a depleted lineup, playing their third game in three days and second game in 16 hours, the Soo Thunderbirds knocked off the cream of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League crop.

Matt Dias exploded for five goals and an assist as the Thunderbirds defeated the North Bay Skyhawks 7-3 on Sunday afternoon in North Bay.

The Thunderbirds dressed just 15 skaters on the road trip yet come home with a pair of wins against the NOJHL's division leaders.

On Friday, the Soo opened the trip with a 4-2 win over the Manitoulin Wild before falling 6-4 to the Abitibi Eskimos on Saturday night.

The win vaults the Thunderbirds into the position of western division leader with an 11-7-1-1 record for 24 points. The Wild share top spot with the T-Birds with 24 points.

The loss for the Skyhawks was just their third of the season as the eastern division leaders fell to 13-3-3-1 but hold a five point lead over the Eskimos.

Dias scored the game's first two goals before Mark Thorburn added another to give the Thunderbirds a 3-0 lead after one period.

After Josh Merson scored two power play goals in the second period for the Skyhawks, the Thunderbirds rebounded with four third period goals.

Dias scored three more times in the period, including once on the power play, while Matt Caria added another marker with the man advantage.

Caria recorded four assists for the locals, Anthony Brune and Justin Shelleby added two each while Thorburn setup another.

Jesse Graham added a third period goal for the Skyhawks and Tyler Perry picked up a pair of assists.

Michael Maulucci recorded the win in goal and kicked aside 39 of 42 shots. The Thunderbirds fired 30 shots at North Bay goaltender Chris Abbey.

The Thunderbirds now return home for a pair of games at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Northern Michigan visits on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. while the Manitoulin Wild will make the trip for a 7:30 p.m. start on Friday.

PHOTO: Matt Dias. (SooToday.com file photo by Jim Egan.)