Thunderbirds fall to Wolves in series opener

Playing their third game in four nights, the Soo Thunderbirds fell 4-2 to the Sudbury Junior Wolves on Sunday night in the Nickel City.

Sudbury takes the early 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semi-final series.

The Thunderbirds won't have much time to rest up for game two as the teams meet on Monday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.

In game one, the Wolves led 2-0 after one period and 4-1 after two.

Adam Pyymaki and Kyle Rodgers scored for the Thunderbirds. Jesse Graham paced the winners with two goals while Brenden Biedermann and Jacob Johnston added singles.

*** 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

Sudbury Lineup: Brenden Biedermann, Jordan Cheechoo, Matt Chuipka, Matt Demore, Jesse Graham, Andrew Hawes, J. F. Houle, Jessie Howg, Justin Jodouin, Jacob Johnston, Chris Kangas, Brandon Labelle, Scott Lavigne, Ryan Mathes, Chris Pontes, Scott Restoule, Darren Rowlandson, Alain Valiquette, Jeffrey Verreault, Brodie Wilson

First Period 1. SBY: Brenden Biedermann (Scott Lavigne, Brodie Wilson) 07:17 FG PP 2. SBY: Jacob Johnston (Scott Restoule, J. F. Houle) 07:42

Penalties: Dan Vernelli SOO (INT) 2 min 05:36; Brenden Biedermann SBY (HKG) 2 min 09:05;

Second Period 3. SOO: Adam Pyymaki (Jake Reid, ) 07:31 4. SBY: Jesse Graham (J. F. Houle, Scott Restoule) 15:38 GW PP 5. SBY: Jesse Graham (Brenden Biedermann, Ryan Mathes) 18:52 PP

Penalties: Brodie Wilson SBY (RO) 2 min 00:55; Tyler Gendron SOO (RH) 2 min 10:28; Chris Kangas SBY (RO) 2 min 10:28; Matt Conway SOO (RO) 2 min 10:28; Brodie Wilson SBY (SL) 2 min 12:04; Nick Minardi SOO (INT) 2 min 13:54; Darren Rowlandson SBY (HO) 2 min 13:54; Adam Kauppi SOO (HO) 2 min 14:35; Dan Klever SOO (HKG) 2 min 17:19;

Third Period 6. SOO: Kyle Rodgers (Nick Minardi, ) 10:31 SH

Penalties: Brad Dicandia SOO (FI) 5 min 06:50; Jessie Howg SBY (FI) 5 min 06:50; Jake Reid SOO (INT) 2 min 09:34;

Shots on Goal Soo Thunderbirds 10 12 6 - 28 Sudbury 13 16 9 - 38 Goaltenders Darren Rowlandson (SBY) - W Alain Valiquette (SBY) - None Ryan Dube (SOO) - L Officials Trevor Vaillancourt (Referee) David Hancock (Linesman) Jean-Yves Maillet (Linesman) Game Attendance 411 ***