Thunder open NOBHL championship lead (Updated)

The Soo Thunder put themselves in the drivers' seat in the Northern Ontario Bantam Hockey League Championship with a pair of victories over the Onaping Falls Huskies at the Rankin Arena on the weekend.

The two wins give the Thunder a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series heading on the road next weekend to continue the series.

The Thunder, who defeated the North Bay Hilltop Variety Blades to gain a spot in the championship, scored victories of 8-2 on Saturday and 6-4 on Sunday to take the lead.

On Saturday night, the Thunder fell behind early before scoring eight straight goals en route to an 8-2 victory.

Joshua Patrick scored a breakaway goal just 10 seconds into the game, giving Onaping Falls a 1-0 lead. The Thunder then potted eight goals, including a pair each by Richard MacLennan and Micky Sartoretto to take an 8-1 lead. Derreck Hurley, Drew MacMillan, Matthew Amadio, and Niclas Beaudoin added singles. Stephane Demore scored the other Huskies goal.

Ryan MacDonald picked up the win in goal for the Thunder.

On Sunday, a late third period goal sealed a 6-4 victory for the Thunder to cap off the successful weekend. The Thunder got goals from six different players to score the win. Beaudoin, Brett Thompson, MacLennan, Amadio, Hurley, and Sartoretto capped off the scoring while Michael Doan picked up the win in goal.

Nick Esposto scored twice while Demore, and Jordan Carroll added singles for Onaping Falls.

"I was surprised at the result from (Saturday) night," said Thunder coach Ken Hruska. "I thought that was probably one of the best games we played as a team, and without Thompson and Tyler Hawdon in the lineup. The other players picked up the slack and played really well.

"(Sunday) we knew we weren't going to beat Onaping 8-2, so we knew it was going to be a tougher game," Hruska added. "We had some control in the game and then we took a four-minute penalty (a Thompson spearing double minor at the end of the second period), and Onaping came back. In the end, the guys hung on."

The series now shifts to Levak Arena in Onaping Falls for games three and four on Saturday and Sunday.

The NOBHL champion will advance to the All-Ontario Bantam AAA Championships in Mississauga from March 27 to April 1.

*** NOBHL AWARD WINNERS:

On Saturday, the NOBHL announced the 2005-06 league award winners.

Best Defenceman: Chris Chaput, Onaping Falls Huskies Most Sportsmanlike: Joshua Patrick, Onaping Falls Huskies Outstanding Minor Aged Player: Alex Cooper, Sudbury Wolves Mike Zuke Award (League MVP): Brett Thompson, Soo Thunder Top Scorer: Matthew Amadio, Soo Thunder Best Goaltender: Ryan MacDonald, Soo Thunder Coach of the Year: Murray McGee, Timmins Rangers

*** NOBHL PLAYOFFS:

FINALS

1. SOO THUNDER vs. 2. ONAPING FALLS

Game 1 - Sat. Mar. 11 - Soo 8 Onaping Falls 2 Game 2 - Sun. Mar. 12 - Soo 6 Onaping Falls 4 Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 18 - Soo vs. Onaping Falls * Game 4 - Sun. Mar. 19 - Soo vs. Onaping Falls * Game 5 - TBA - Onaping Falls vs. Soo

(* = if necessary)

SEMI-FINALS

1. SOO THUNDER vs. 5. NORTH BAY

Game 1 - Sat. Feb. 25 - Soo 7 North Bay 2 Game 2 - Sun. Feb. 26 - Soo 4 North Bay 0 Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 4 - Soo 6 North Bay 5 (OT)

2. ONAPING FALLS vs. 3. SUDBURY

Game 1 - Sat. Feb. 25 - Sudbury 6 Onaping Falls 3 Game 2 - Sun. Feb. 26 - Onaping Falls 5 Sudbury 2 Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 4 - Onaping Falls 4 Sudbury 1 Game 4 - Sun. Mar. 5 - Sudbury 4 Onaping Falls 2 Game 5 - Tue. Mar. 7 - Onaping Falls 9 Sudbury 3

QUARTERFINALS

4. TIMMINS vs. 5. NORTH BAY

Game 1 - Sat. Feb. 18 - North Bay 2 Timmins 1 (OT) Game 2 - Sat. Feb. 18 - North Bay 4 Timmins 1

***