Thunderbirds fall to the Beavers (Updated)

The Soo Thunderbirds saw a 1-0 lead disappear into a 3-1 loss on Wednesday night in another battle with the Blind River Beavers.

In Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Thunderbirds jumped ahead 1-0 early in the first period on a goal by Nick Minardi on the power play.

The Beavers answered back in the second period as Jesse Gionette and Anthony Libonati on the power play scored to give Blind River a 2-1 lead. Kyle Withers added a late empty net goal.

Blind River outshot the Thunderbirds 28-26 with Shawn Sirman taking the win in goal for the Beavers and Travis O'Brien the loss for the Soo.

*** THUNDERBIRDS SPLIT IN WISCONSIN:

The Thunderbirds split a of exhibition games in Wisconsin against NCAA Division 3 schools in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association.

Thursday’s game in Appleton saw the Birds down Lawrence University Vikings 5-3. Matt Conway led the way with a goal and two assists. Brett Perlini added a pair, Tyler Gendron chipped in with a goal and an assist. Adam Pyymaki scored the other Soo goal. Assists went to Nick Minardi, Randy Wills and Tyler Lannigan. Travis O’Brien went the distance stopping 26 of 29 shots.

On Friday Oct 20 the Thunderbirds travelled to Fon Du Lac, to take on ex Thunderbird Kyle Jones and the Marion College Sabres. The Birds jumped out to an early first period 3-0 lead but couldn’t hold on and fell to the Sabres 4-3. Conway and Perlini once again led the Birds with Conway netting two and Perlini adding a goal and an assist. Lannigan, Wills and Minardi all added single assists. O’Brien was the starter again stopping 28 of 32 shots.

(With files from www.soothunderbirdshockey.com)