Thunderbirds flex muscle over Skyhawks

The Soo Thunderbirds have yet to taste defeat this season and the threat of ending that streak doesn't appear to be imminent.

The Thunderbirds improved their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League record to nine wins, no losses and two ties with a convincing 8-2 win over the North Bay Skyhawks at the John Rhodes Community Centre on Friday night.

The Skyhawks, who boast one of the top teams in the NOJHL and an automatic entry into the Central Canadian Championships in late April as the host team, fall to 8-2 on the season.

The Thunderbirds built a 4-0 lead by the middle of first period and never looked back. The third goal, which occurred 6:26 into the period, chased Skyhawks starting goaltender Greg Orlando from the game.

The Thunderbirds led by scores of 4-1 after one period and 5-2 after the second. North Bay outshot the Soo 28-24.

Tom Vernelli paced the Thunderbirds attack with two goals and an assist. Justin Towell, Aaron Anderson, Alex Butkus, D.J. Jelitto, Josh Leddy and Kelly Thomson scored a goal each for the locals. Butkus, Jelitto and Ryan MacKay added two assists each.

Nathan Daly and Noel Lortie scored the North Bay goals.

Mike Downer continued his stellar play for the Thunderbirds, who played without head coach Jim Capy for the third game of a four game suspension, and was credited with the win in goal.

The Thunderbirds continue their homestand on Sunday as they host the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats at the Rhodes beginning at 6 p.m. Following the contest, the Thunderbirds begin a lengthy road swing.

On Thursday night in the NOJHL, Paul Dainton recorded the shutout as Rayside Balfour blanked the Manitoulin Wild 4-0.