Thunderbirds and Beavers to go the distance

The Soo Thunderbirds and Blind River Beavers will need all seven games to decide their best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League quarterfinal series.

On Thursday night in game six at the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Beavers doubled up the Thunderbirds for the second consecutive game by a 6-3 score to even the series at 3-3.

Game seven is scheduled for Friday night in Blind River.

Further details will be added.

*** GAME SUMMARY:

Blind River Lineup: Matt Bell, Jason Bird, Tanner Burton, Jacob Chiblow, Adam Combs, Jon Drake, Alex Durinka, Josh Faulkner, Andre Gauvin, Jesse Gionette, Rob Higgins, Jeremy Hilliard, Matt Irving, David Jarick, Andre Laperriere, Brett LaValley, Tyler Liukkonen, Owen Peltier, Shawn Sirman, Tyler Stephens

Soo Thunderbirds Lineup: Shawn Bibeau, Matt Conway, Brad Dicandia, Ryan Dube, Tyler Gendron, Mark Hoffman, Rob Johnson, Adam Kauppi, Dylan King, Dan Klever, Tyler Lannigan, Nick Minardi, Travis O Brien, Brett Perlini, Adam Pyymaki, Jake Reid, Kyle Rodgers, Dan Vernelli, Randy Wills

First Period 1. BR: Jeremy Hilliard (Jason Bird, Matt Irving) 01:20 FG 2. BR: Jason Bird (David Jarick, Matt Irving) 10:11 PP

Penalties: Brad Dicandia SOO (HKG) 2 min 02:52; Tanner Burton BR (FI) 5 min 07:43; Randy Wills SOO (FI) 5 min 07:43; Matt Conway SOO (HS) 2 min 09:52; Rob Higgins BR (CC) 2 min 15:26;

Second Period 3. SOO: Jake Reid (Tyler Gendron, Mark Hoffman) 01:19 4. SOO: Adam Pyymaki (Unassisted) 03:29 5. BR: Josh Faulkner (Alex Durinka, ) 07:55 6. BR: Alex Durinka (Jon Drake, ) 15:39 GW

Penalties: Jacob Chiblow BR (RO) 2 min 01:51; Kyle Rodgers SOO (RO) 2 min 01:51; Andre Gauvin BR (TR) 2 min 05:29; Matt Conway SOO (SL) 2 min 09:27; Jacob Chiblow BR (SL) 2 min 16:10; Andre Gauvin BR (SL) 2 min 19:26;

Third Period 7. SOO: Tyler Lannigan (Unassisted) 01:30 8. BR: Jon Drake (David Jarick, ) 05:58 PP 9. BR: Jeremy Hilliard (Unassisted) 17:38 PP

Penalties: Adam Kauppi SOO (HOST) 2 min 05:04; Jason Bird BR (INT) 2 min 09:06; Rob Johnson SOO (HO) 2 min 11:10; David Jarick BR (RO) 2 min 12:26; Matt Conway SOO (RO) 2 min 12:26; Kyle Rodgers SOO (RO) 2 min 16:40; Adam Combs BR (FI) 5 min 17:40; Rob Johnson SOO (FI) 5 min 17:40; Dan Vernelli SOO (INT) 2 min 19:17; Josh Faulkner BR (RO) 2 min 19:38; Dylan King SOO (RO) 2 min 19:38;

Shots on Goal Blind River 10 11 10 - 31 Soo Thunderbirds 10 14 12 - 36 Goaltenders Shawn Sirman (BR) - W Travis O Brien (SOO) - L Officials Jeff Golden (Referee) Jamie Appleton (Linesman) Paul Raycroft (Linesman) Game Stars 1. Alex Durinka (BR) 2. Jon Drake (BR) 3. Adam Pyymaki (SOO) Game Attendance 534 ***