Thunderbirds hang on to beat Beavers

BLIND RIVER -- The Soo Thunderbirds were feeling fortunate to escape the Blind River Memorial Community Centre on Saturday night with a victory.

After taking a three goal lead early in the third period, the Thunderbirds watched the Blind River Beavers dominate the remainder of the frame but were able to hang on for a 6-5 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League win.

The victory gives the Thunderbirds a 3-0 advantage in the Carmen Provenzano Memorial Cup and pads their lead at the top of the western division standings.

Ryan Maunu and Drew Jarrett scored two goals each for the Soo while Tyler Gendron and Michael Quesnele added singles. Mike McMillan and Adam Kauppi each recorded a pair of assists while Maunu and Quesnele set up one each.

Kyle Schmeler, a recent addition from Huntsville, scored twice for the Beavers while singles went to Shane Barclay, Sam Yearsley and Nick Jelitto. Lucas Goodall, Kyle Withers and Jesse Gionette added two assists each.

Michael Maulucci kicked aside 41 of 46 shots in goal for the win while Andre Laperriere, who took the loss, started in net for Blind River and was hooked in favour of Donnie Bruni after the fourth Thunderbirds goal 7:01 into the second period.

Tempers flared between the two rivals in the third period starting off the opening draw as the Soo's Chris Towell and Withers traded blows. Tyler Lannigan then battled Barclay before the Thunderbirds' Grant McGee and the Beavers' Adam Combs went toe-to-toe in a dandy fight.

An emotional third period will set the stage as the Thunderbirds visit Blind River again this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Also next weekend, the Thunderbirds host the Abitibi Eskimos on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre and the Northern Michigan Black Bears on Sunday at 7 p.m.

The Thunderbirds now hold a 13-6 record for 26 points and a five point lead over Northern Michigan for first place in the division. The Beavers fall to 7-10-0-1 and remain 10 points off the pace in third place.