Indians top Thunderbirds in exhibition contest

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI. -- In what was being termed as the "Battle of the Twin Saults", the Soo Kewadin Casino Indians of the North American Hockey League topped their Canadian counterparts, the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior League 7-1 in exhibition action Saturday night at the Chi Mukwa arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The Thunderbirds had the Indians on their heels early on in the game as Tom Vernelli scored in the opening minute beating Indians netminder Jarrett Michaels to give the Thunderbirds an early lead.

Then at 4:23, Indians forward Jason Blain put the game back on even terms knocking in a loose puck during a scramble. Eric Curtis put the Indians ahead 2-1 beating Thunderbirds netminder Mike Downer, who was named the games third star, high to the stick side.

Jim Jorgensen, who picked up two goals in the game, then gave the Indians a 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission scoring at 18:13.

In the second period, the Indians wasted no time in taking a three goal lead as Rob Nowinski scored 3:29 into the period and Jorgensen scored his second of the night at 13:32 to send the Indians into the final frame with a 5-1 lead.

The Indians capped off the 7-1 win in the third period with two more goals as Logan Bittle, the game's first star, scored at 6:35 and Drew Styma scored at 19:15 to complete the scoring.

Michaels, despite giving up a goal on the first shot he faced in the game, settled in nicely and stopped 14 shots the rest of the way in the win. For the Thunderbirds, Downer was strong throughout the game making a number of big saves including breakaway stops on Curtis, Bittle and Nick Biondo at various points during the game.

Thunderbirds coach Jim Capy, although not pleased overall with the game, said he was happy with some points during the game.

"I thought we had a reasonably decent start," Capy said following the loss. "I thought we competed well in the third too."

Capy went on to say that there were a couple of positives to come out of the loss, although he felt that his team didn't stick to their game plan. Capy added that his team tried to get away with some things that they usually do against NOJHL competition, but it didn't work.

"Our goaltending was outstanding," Capy added. "Our defense played pretty well. We did play with a forward on defense (Justin Towell). When you have a game plan though, you have to follow it. What we get away with in our league, you can't get away with here."

Capy also said that he has some interest in making a couple of moves to strengthen his team in some areas.

Indians coach Joe Shawhan was happy with his team's overall play, especially with some of the players who haven't played a whole lot this season but had the chance to perform in this game.

"We have a nice, hard-working team," Shawhan said. "We got a goal out of Styma, (Drew) Satterley gave us a good game. Jarrett Michaels shook off that first goal well."

Shawhan also said that his team took some time off during the week prior to the game in order to rest after coming off an 11-game road trip that saw them lose just once and improve their record in NAHL play to 13-1-5.

Shawhan also said that he is looking at the possibility of picking up a centre to improve his club's depth down the middle.

Shawhan went on to say that the Thunderbirds played a bit like the Youngstown Phantoms of the NAHL, who the Indians faced last weekend in Youngstown.

Despite outshooting Youngstown in a similar fashion as they did with the Thunderbirds, they came out on the short end of a 2-1 score. In this case the Indians got some bounces and that translated into a win.

Both teams now have some time off before their next games. The Thunderbirds are off until Thursday when they head to Sudbury to take on Rayside Balfour before coming home to take on the Indians on Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.