Thunderbirds on the brink of elimination

The Soo Thunderbirds now have their backs against the wall in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semi-finals.

On Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Sudbury Junior Wolves scored 2:31 into overtime to grab a 4-3 win and now lead the best-of-seven series 3-1.

Game five is scheduled for Sunday night in Sudbury at 8:30 p.m.

The Thunderbirds led 3-2 after two periods but J.F. Houle scored seven minutes into the third for Sudbury to tie and send the game to extra time. Former Soo Greyhound Scott Restoule notched the overtime winner.

Tyler Gendron, Brett Perlini and Dylan King scored for the Thunderbirds while Chris Pontes and Chris Kangas added goals for Sudbury.

King and Perlini also recorded two assists each while Gendron set up another. Ryan Dube made the start in goal for the Soo and faced 40 Sudbury shots. Sudbury's Darren Rowlandson faced 39 shots in the win.

If necessary, a sixth game is scheduled for Tuesday night at the Rhodes at 7:30 p.m. while game seven would go Thursday in Sudbury.

The other NOJHL semi-final series resumes tonight in the Michigan Sault as the Indians host the North Bay Skyhawks at 6 p.m. at the Big Bear Arena in game five. The series is tied 2-2.

*** GAME SUMMARY:

Sudbury Lineup: Brenden Biedermann, Chuck Carre, Jordan Cheechoo, Matt Chuipka, 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

Soo Thunderbirds Lineup: Shawn Bibeau, Matt Conway, Ben Davey, Brad Dicandia, Ryan Dube, Tyler Gendron, Mark Hoffman, Rob Johnson, 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

First Period 1. SOO: Tyler Gendron (Brett Perlini, Dylan King) 03:47 2. SBY: Chris Pontes (J. F. Houle, Scott Restoule) 04:15 FG

Penalties: Tyler Lannigan SOO (RO) 2 min 00:43; Ryan Mathes SBY (HKG) 2 min 06:02; Brenden Biedermann SBY (SP) 2 min 08:05; Brenden Biedermann SBY (SP) 2 min 08:05; Scott Restoule SBY (HKG) 2 min 13:57; Matt Conway SOO (INT) 2 min 16:07; J. F. Houle SBY (RO) 2 min 17:00; Brad Dicandia SOO (RO) 2 min 17:00;

Second Period 3. SOO: Brett Perlini (Adam Kauppi, Dylan King) 05:48 PP 4. SBY: Chris Kangas (Unassisted) 12:10 5. SOO: Dylan King (Brett Perlini, Tyler Gendron) 17:59 PP

Penalties: Scott Restoule SBY (HKG) 2 min 03:50; Kyle Rodgers SOO (HKG) 2 min 06:42; Scott Restoule SBY (TR) 2 min 14:45; Ryan Mathes SBY (RO) 2 min 17:51;

Third Period 6. SBY: J. F. Houle (Scott Lavigne, Jacob Johnston) 06:59

Penalties: Brad Dicandia SOO (HO) 2 min 00:21; Matt Conway SOO (INT) 2 min 06:37; Brenden Biedermann SBY (TR) 2 min 06:39; Jesse Graham SBY (RO) 2 min 07:27; Brodie Wilson SBY (RAW) 2 min 07:27; Mark Hoffman SOO (RAW) 2 min 07:27; Brett Perlini SOO (RAW) 2 min 07:27; Adam Pyymaki SOO (INT) 2 min 14:07;

OT Period 7. SBY: Scott Restoule (J. F. Houle, Scott Lavigne) 02:31 GW

Penalties: No Penalties

Shots on Goal Sudbury 14 9 15 2 - 40 Soo Thunderbirds 15 14 8 2 - 39 Goaltenders Darren Rowlandson (SBY) - W Ryan Dube (SOO) - L Officials Jamie Appleton (Referee) Trevor Miller (Linesman) Paul Raycroft (Linesman) Game Stars 1. Scott Restoule (SBY) 2. Dylan King (SOO) 3. Brett Perlini (SOO) Game Attendance 324 ***