HOCKEY NOTES: Hounds blank Spirit

The Soo Greyhounds finally came through winners with a 4-0 win in Saginaw over the Spirit on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Greyhounds close the Ontario Hockey League exhibition schedule with a 1-4-1 record. The Greyhounds compiled a 1-1-1 record on the three-game road trip.

Kevin Druce went the distance in goal for the Greyhounds and turned aside all 30 shots he faced. Jeff Doyle led the Greyhounds attack with a goal and an assist. Matt Puntureri, Tyler Kennedy short-handed and Chris Lawrence chipped in with a goal each.

The team will now finalize their roster in preparation for the regular season opener on Friday night at Memorial Gardens against the Ottawa 67's. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The Hounds host the Erie Otters on Sunday at 2 p.m.

*** THUNDERBIRDS SMACK BEAVERS:

The Soo Thunderbirds opened the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season on the road Saturday night with a 6-1 win over the Blind River Beavers.

The Thunderbirds host the Northern Michigan Black Bears in their home opener on Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre at 7:30 p.m.

Northern Michigan, playing out of St. Ignace, played their inaugural regular season game on Friday and beat the Manitoulin Wild 5-3 before playing to a 3-3 tie with the Abitibi Eskimos on Saturday.