Thunderbirds capture game seven in Blind River

The Soo Thunderbirds skated into the Blind River Memorial Community Centre and escaped with a game seven victory that will send them into the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semi-final.

Despite the task of facing the Beavers in a one-game winner-take-all showdown, the Thunderbirds also had to deal with the large gathering of Beavers faithful.

But the Thunderbirds prevailed with a 4-1 victory on Friday night to take the best-of-seven quarterfinal series 4-3.

Up next for the Thunderbirds is a date with the Sudbury Junior Wolves in the best-of-seven semi-finals beginning Sunday night in Sudbury.

Brett Perlini scored to give the Birds a 1-0 lead after one period while Matt Conway added another goal late in the second for a 2-1 advantage heading to the final 20 minutes.

Just 19 seconds into the third period, Adam Kauppi scored to give the visitors a two-goal cushion. Randy Wills also scored into an empty net.

Ryan Dube returned to the Thunderbirds net and stopped 41 shots for the win.

Josh Faulkner scored the lone Blind River goal while goaltender Shawn Sirman took the loss.

*** GAME SUMMARY:

Soo Thunderbirds Lineup: Shawn Bibeau, Matt Conway, Brad Dicandia, Ryan Dube, Tyler Gendron, Mark Hoffman, 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

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

First Period 1. SOO: Brett Perlini (Tyler Gendron, Nick Minardi) 07:42 FG

Penalties: Ryan Dube SOO (TR) 2 min 10:20; Kyle Rodgers SOO (HO) 2 min 15:14;

Second Period 2. BR: Josh Faulkner (Matt Bell, Shawn Sirman) 14:40 PP 3. SOO: Matt Conway (Dylan King, Tyler Gendron) 18:25 GW PP

Penalties: Dan Vernelli SOO (HO) 2 min 11:43; Adam Kauppi SOO (INT) 2 min 13:28; Andre Gauvin BR (RO) 2 min 17:23; Andre Gauvin BR (TR) 2 min 17:23; Dan Vernelli SOO (RO) 2 min 17:23;

Third Period 4. SOO: Adam Kauppi (Randy Wills, Mark Hoffman) 00:19 5. SOO: Randy Wills (Adam Kauppi, Shawn Bibeau) 18:07 EN

Penalties: Tyler Lannigan SOO (HO) 2 min 05:41; Rob Higgins BR (HO) 2 min 06:33; Matt Conway SOO (RO) 2 min 12:31; Josh Faulkner BR (RO) 2 min 12:31;

Shots on Goal Soo Thunderbirds 13 21 12 - 46 Blind River 12 18 12 - 42 Goaltenders Shawn Sirman (BR) - L Ryan Dube (SOO) - W Officials Derik Gratton (Referee) David Hancock (Linesman) Jean-Yves Maillet (Linesman) Game Stars 1. Adam Kauppi (SOO) 2. Josh Faulkner (BR) 3. Jake Reid (SOO) Game Attendance 802 ***