Thunderbirds eliminate Beavers in convincing fashion (updated)

BLIND RIVER -- The Soo Thunderbirds will now tackle the Black Bears after flying past the Beavers.

Backed by another strong team performance, the Thunderbirds rolled past the Blind River Beavers 8-3 here on Thursday night at the Blind River Community Centre to claim the best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League western division semi-final series 4-1.

The Thunderbirds will now meet the Northern Michigan Black Bears in the best-of-seven western division final.

Matt Caria again led the Thunderbirds offense with two goals and two assists and was named the game's first star for the fourth time in the series. Ryan Maunu also scored twice and set up a pair for the Soo.

In a very entertaining and fast paced first period, the Beavers jumped on the board at the 3:13 mark when Billy Schill banged a rebound past Thunderbirds goaltender Michael Maulucci.

But Caria answered back just 20 seconds later to tie the score before adding his second of the game late in the period when he slid the puck between the legs of goaltender Brock Lees while lying flat on the ice for a 2-1 lead.

In the second period, the Thunderbirds broke open the game with four goals after Matt Buha scored 1:25 into the period to tie the game for Blind River.

Drew Jarrett scored at 6:51 before Pat Keating rifled a shot off the inside of the post past Lees at 13:34. Adam Kauppi added another at 16:01 and Maunu notched his first at 18:42.

Kyle Jones and Maunu on the power play scored for the Soo in the third period while Ken Reid replied with one for the Beavers.

"I'm so proud of these guys and I'm very emotional right now," said Thunderbirds head coach Toots Kovacs following the game. "Our team has a work ethic second to none and that loss on Monday grounded us and that was a good thing, which you don't usually hear a coach say. It brought them back down to earth and they knew that had to play.

"My guys made a commitment before the playoffs that they would not get outworked and they have definitely held up their end of the bargain."

Maulucci, who was down on the ice for a few minutes after taking a Thomas Laplante blast in the head five minutes into the second period, stopped 38 of 41 shots in another stellar performance.

"I thought the turning point was when Maulucci took that one off the head. He was able to tough it out and to be honest, he gets a few of those in practise during the week. I think the boys rallied around him and we took over at that point," said Kovacs.

Chris Towell chipped in a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds, who fired 43 shots at Lees, while Jones set up another.

"I really feel for the veterans (on Blind River)," said Kovacs. "It was their last year in the league and the entire Blind River organization from general manger Don Lees on up and down is first class and they did a great job with that team this year."

*** ABITIBI ADVANCES:

The Abitibi Eskimos will meet the North Bay Skyhawks for the eastern division championship after sweeping the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats. Abitibi completed the sweep with a 6-3 win on Thursday night.

*** NOJHL PLAYOFFS:

QUARTERFINALS:

WESTERN DIVISION:

2. BLIND RIVER vs. 3. SOO THUNDERBIRDS

(Soo wins series 4-1)

Game 1 - Thur. Mar. 17 - Soo 4 Blind River 2 Game 2 - Sat. Mar. 19 - Soo 6 Blind River 5 (OT) Game 3 - Mon. Mar. 21 - Blind River 4 Soo 2 Game 4 - Wed. Mar. 23 - Soo 7 Blind River 1 Game 5 - Thur. Mar. 24 - Soo 8 Blind River 3

1. NORTHERN MICHIGAN vs. 4. MANITOULIN

(Northern Michigan wins series 4-0)

Game 1 - Tue. Mar. 15 - Northern Michigan 10 Manitoulin 2 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 16 - Northern Michigan 12 Manitoulin 2 Game 3 - Fri. Mar. 18 - Northern Michigan 13 Manitoulin 1 Game 4 - Sat. Mar. 19 - Northern Michigan 6 Manitoulin 0

EASTERN DIVISION:

1. NORTH BAY vs. 4. SUDBURY

(North Bay wins series 4-1)

Game 1 - Tue. Mar. 15 - North Bay 7 Sudbury 3 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 16 - North Bay 4 Sudbury 1 Game 3 - Fri. Mar. 18 - Sudbury 5 North Bay 4 (OT) Game 4 - Sun. Mar. 20 - North Bay 9 Sudbury 1 Game 5 - Tue. Mar. 22 - North Bay 2 Sudbury 1 (OT)

2. ABITIBI vs. 3. RAYSIDE BALFOUR

(Abitibi wins series 4-0)

Game 1 - Mon. Mar. 14 - Abitibi 3 Rayside Balfour 2 Game 2 - Thur. Mar. 17 - Abitibi 6 Rayside Balfour 5 (OT) Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 19 - Abitibi 3 Rayside Balfour 0 Game 4 - Thu. Mar. 24 - Abitibi 6 Rayside Balfour 3

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