T-Birds run wild on Manitoulin

The Soo Thunderbirds inched closer to the Manitoulin Wild with an 8-5 win on Sunday night in Little Current.

After falling behind 4-1 in the second period, the Thunderbirds exploded with three goals to tie the score at 4-4 in the second frame before unloading another four goals in the final period.

The victory improves the Thunderbirds second place record to 9-6-1 and moves the club to within four points of the Wild for first place in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League western division with a game in hand.

Ryan Maunu paced the Thunderbirds offense with two goals and two assists. Matt Caria also scored twice, his second into an empty net, while singles went to Mark Thorburn, Billy Griffore, Pat Keating and Kyle Jones into an empty net.

Greyhounds draft pick Matt Hache recorded the win in goal and picked up an assist. Keating, who also picked up the game's only penalty, Drew Jarrett and Matt Dias picked up two assists each.

Brent Assinewai and Curtis Johnson replied with two goals each for the Wild, who outshot the Soo 40-35, while Dennis French scored the other. Frank Maddaloni added two assists.

The Thunderbirds are on the road again next weekend with three games in three days.

The locals visit the same Manitoulin Wild on Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Abitibi Eskimos on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and the North Bay Skyhawks on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The locals return home for a game against the Northern Michigan Black Bears on Wednesday, November 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.