Thunderbirds fall to Beavers (Updated)

The Blind River Beavers used three second period goals to lift themselves to a home ice win over the Soo Thunderbirds on Saturday night.

Mike Bernardi and Darren Rainville scored a goal and added two assists each as the Beavers rolled past the Thunderbirds 6-2 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

Thomas Laplante scored 21 seconds into the game for an early Blind River lead before Ryan Maunu scored a power play goal to tie the game later in the period.

Blind River broke the game open early in the second period as Jason Wiley connected 54 seconds into the frame with the man advantage before Bernardy scored less than a minute later and Billy Schill added another on the power play at 7:30.

Derek MacKay pulled the Thunderbirds to within two with a late power goal to close the second period.

Rainville and Jeff Wallis scored in the third period to seal the Beavers win.

Dustin McLeod also recorded a pair of assists for the Beavers while local product Kevin King stopped 27 of 29 shots in goal for the win.

Michael Maulucci took the loss in net for the Thunderbirds while facing 42 shots.

The loss drops the Thunderbirds record to 14-13-2-1 for 31 points. The third place club trails Northern Michigan by six points and Blind River by one in the western division.

The Thunderbirds return to begin a four-game home stand on Friday against the Sudbury Northern Wolves at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Commmunity Centre.