Thunderbirds nipped by Wolves

The Soo Thunderbirds were soundly defeated in a battle of league leaders in the Nickel City on Wednesday night.

Scoring twice in the second period and three more times in the third, the Sudbury Northern Wolves claimed a convincing 5-1 win over the Thunderbirds in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

Both teams entered the contest as the leaders in their respective divisions.

Brian McGerry scored twice for the East Division leading Wolves including the game winner to break a 1-1 tie midway through the second period. Jeffrey Christison, Nick Heins, and Jesse Graham scored the other Wolves goals.

Andrew Jakubaitis scored the lone Thunderbirds goal.

The Thunderbirds, the NOJHL's West Division leaders, fall to 14-4-3-1 for 32 points, six points ahead of second place Northern Michigan.

Mike Downer took the loss the net for the Thunderbirds and stopped 21 of the 26 shots he faced. The Soo managed 19 shots on goal including only four in the third period.

Next action for the Thunderbirds will be on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. against the Mantoulin Wild (6-16-0-0) in Little Current.

The Thunderbirds do not return home until December 12th when they host the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats at the John Rhodes Community Centre beginning at 7:30 p.m.