First place showdown tonight at the Steelback Centre

The Soo Thunderbirds will hit the ice on Saturday night at the Steelback Centre looking to regain control of first place in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

The Thunderbirds find themselves two points behind the visiting North Bay Skyhawks for the league league.

Game time is 7:30 p.m.

North Bay overtook the Birds for top spot with a 4-1 win on Friday night in Little Current against the Manitoulin Islanders.

The Thunderbirds will be well rested for the game with their last action coming on Wednesday, a 4-3 overtime road win over the Sudbury Junior Wolves. Brett Perlini scored the game winner and set up two others for the Soo.

*** WEDNESDAY'S GAME SUMMARY:

Soo Thunderbirds - 4 Sudbury - 3

Shots on Goal Soo Thunderbirds 10-12-5-3-30 Sudbury 11-9-15-1-36 First Period Scoring 1. SOO: Nick Minardi (Brett Perlini, ) 02:44 FG PP 2. SOO: Jake Reid (Adam Pyymaki, ) 11:20 SH Penalties SBY: Chuck Carre (Tripping) 2 min, 02:08 SOO: Kevin Smith (High Sticking) 2 min, 06:07 SBY: Jordan Kuruliak (Roughing) 2 min, 09:12 SOO: Drew Otto (Interference) 2 min, 10:56 Second Period Scoring 3. SOO: Nick Minardi (Brett Perlini, Trevor McNutt) 00:56 4. SBY: Brandon Labelle (Zack McGillis, Jeff Verreault) 11:24 5. SBY: Jordan Cheechoo (Unassisted) 19:27 SH Penalties SOO: Zack McNally (Tripping) 2 min, 02:23 SBY: Matt Chuipka (Tripping) 2 min, 05:47 SBY: Kyle Hope (Slashing) 2 min, 06:50 SBY: J.F. Houle (High Sticking) 2 min, 12:44 SOO: Nick Minardi (Hooking) 2 min, 17:15 SBY: J.F. Houle (High Sticking) 2 min, 18:45 SBY: J.F. Houle (High Sticking) 2 min, 18:45 Third Period Scoring 6. SBY: Jordan Cheechoo (Brenden Biedermann, Chris Kangas) 17:09 Penalties SOO: Nick Minardi (Elbowing) 2 min, 00:15 SBY: Brenden Biedermann (Interference) 2 min, 04:33 SOO: Shawn Bibeau (Roughing) 2 min, 14:28 SBY: Jordan Kuruliak (Roughing) 2 min, 14:28 SOO: Dan Vernelli (High Sticking) 2 min, 19:05 OT Period Scoring 7. SOO: Brett Perlini (Shawn Bibeau, Trevor McNutt) 02:10 GW PP Penalties SOO: Ben Davey (Roughing) 2 min, 01:36 SBY: Scott Restoule (Interference/Protection Goaltender) 2 min, 01:36 SBY: Matt Chuipka (Roughing) 2 min, 01:36 ***