Thunderbirds double up Beavers in series opener

A pair of late goals were the difference for the Soo Thunderbirds on Saturday night as the team opened up the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs.

A power play goal by Brendan Miller with 3:10 to go in regulation time broke a 2-2 tie and led the Thunderbirds to a 4-2 win over the Blind River Beavers in the opening game of their best-of-7 West Division semifinal series at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Miller and Nolan Ford had a goal and an assist each for the Thunderbirds.

Spencer Van Tiem assisted on a pair of goals while Lucas Theriault and Kaidan McDonald also scored for the Thunderbirds.

Thunderbirds goaltender Colin Ahern stopped 20 shots.

Ryan Peck had a goal and an assist for Blind River.

Riley Nadeau had the other Beavers goal.

Goaltender Garret Boyonoski stopped 37 shots for Blind River.

The series continues on Sunday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Puck drop for game two is set for 7 p.m.