Thunderbirds rally from large deficit to swarm Islanders (6 photos)

A slow start nearly cost the Soo Thunderbirds two points in the standings but thanks to the team's power play, those two points found their way to Sault Ste. Marie.

The Thunderbirds, who featured three members of the Soo North Stars AAA Midget team who defeated Kapuskasing earlier in the day, fell behind 3-0 in the first period and were down 4-0 at one point in the second period. That's when the sleeping giant awoke and gathered a 6-4 win.

In the opening period, Carlo Metatawabin opened the scoring for Manitoulin when he beat Thunderbirds goaltender Travis O'Brien just 1:33 into the game. Then Corey Matatawabin picked up a pair of goals, at 10:33 and 13:23 on the man-advantage to give the Islanders a 3-0 lead heading into the second period.

"(Manitoulin) came out strong and gave us all we could handle and we just slept," said Thunderbirds coach Pat Carricato. "(We) played like it was going to be a cakewalk. In this league you can't because any team can beat any other team on any given night. It was a lesson. Thank goodness our power play was working for us or it could have been ugly."

Midway through the second period Corey MacGillis knocked a loose puck past O'Brien, chasing the netminder from the game. In came Ryan Dube, who was seeing action in his second game of the day after posting a 3-1 Great North Midget League victory with the Soo North Stars earlier in the day.

"You could just tell it wasn't Trav's (Travis O'Brien) night," said Carricato. "Sometimes it's their night and sometimes it's not. I could see in Trav it wasn't his night. I've seen Ryan play a bunch of games for the North Stars and I didn't hesitate to put him in. Sometimes the coach has got to make a move and you hope it doesn't come back to bite you. He made the saves when he had to."

Dube was serving as the team's backup while Mike Maulucci rehabs from a groin strain. The veteran Maulucci is expected to resume skating on Tuesday.

After falling behind 4-0 and changing goaltenders, the Thunderbirds began to come around, thanks to some power play goals. Mike McMillan got the Thunderbirdson the board at 14:12. Just 2:04 later, Chris Towell scored his first of three power play goals on the night.

After Towell pulled the Thunderbirds to within a goal with his second of the night on a two-man advantage, Michael Quesnele scored on the power play at 17:19 to tie the score.

In the third period, Adam Kauppi gave the Thunderbirds the lead at 11:27 before Towell sealed the win with a power play goal at 16:54.

"Penalties killed us in that second period," said Manitoulin coach Todd Stencill. "All things considered, we've got some real positives. We come and give everybody a game every night. We don't get blown out on many nights. We're right there. We battle tough but we just haven't been able to finish lately. It's a little frusterating for the guys. We've just got to get over this hump and get everybody back I think we'll be ok."

Stencill also commented on the status of two players picked up when the Islanders traded away disgruntled forward Dennis French. Defenceman Mark Baker has reported and is playing with the team but Neil MacDonald and Denis Parent have not reported.

Parent was dealt to Amherst of the Atlantic Jr. A League and MacDonald is currently at home weighing his options. Stencill did say that if MacDonald would be dealt if he decides to stay with hockey.

Next action for the Thunderbirds will be on Dec. 9 when they host the North bay Skyhawks at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

(All photos courtesy of Jim Egan.)