Skyhawks upend Jr. Hounds for 3-1 series lead

The Soo Jr. Greyhounds have hit a major bump in the road in their quest for the franchise's first NOJHL title.

The Jr. Hounds lost a crucial game at Memorial Gardens Friday night as the North Bay Skyhawks took a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in the best of 7 NOJHL championship series with a 5-4 win.

The opening period saw the Jr. Hounds score the game's first goal as Eric McKechnie took a shot through a screen that eluded North Bay goaltender Martin Perreault at 10:45 of the period. The Hounds came close to taking a 2-0 lead late in the period when Sam Colizza was stopped on point blank shot with Perreault down and out. During a scramble, Perreault found himself lying near the side of the net when Colizza picked up the loose puck and fired it right at the goalie's chest.

The Skyhawks came to life in the second period as they scored three times in the period including two goals just over a minute apart by Daryl Goulet and Noel Lortie. Steve Fillion, who was named the game's first star, also scored in the period at 17:27 with a power play marker to give the visitors a 3-1 lead heading into the final frame.

The Jr. Hounds cut the lead to 3-2 as Chez Gioia knocked in a rebound off a Barnabas Birkeland hot at 2:28 but North Bay restored the two-goal lead at 6:38 when Jerome Briere scored unassisted. Then, on the power play, Birkeland got the Jr. Hounds to within on with his fifth goal of the playoffs at 13:57.

The Jr. Hounds tied the game moments later when Justin Towell, who had two goals in Game 3, cut in on the right side and beat Perreault short side. Noel Lortie dashed hoped of the Jr. Hounds completing the comeback as he rifled a shot past Soo netminder Shane Bellini on the glove side with the teams playing four skaters aside.

The Jr. Hounds had a number of great chances late in the game but Perreault stood tall foiling any attempt to tie the game. Both goaltenders were busy on the night as Perreault stopped 34 shots in the win while Bellini stopped 31 in the setback.

The series now shifts back to North Bay for Game 5, which will take place on Sunday evening in North Bay. Game 6, if needed will be back in Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.