Thunderbirds rally to defeat Skyhawks (Updated)

A great start and dominate first period still wasn’t enough for the Skyhawks against the Soo Thunderbirds Friday night as they continued their recent struggles losing 4-3. The Hawks had one of their best starts of the year out skating, hitting, and chancing the T- birds in the opening frame.

"That could have been the best period we played." North Bays Bench Boss Kevin Kerr said with some reservations. "Its been our problem all year, we decided that we’re only going to play twenty minutes and after the first we think we’ve got it won."

The Skyhawks out shot the Soo 17 to 4 in the first. The lone goal would come on the power play off the stick of Dustin McCrank who tipped in a shot from Ken Peroff.

Late in the first, it looked as though North Bay was about to take a two goal lead as a puck fluttered over T-birds goalie Mike Maulucci’s shoulder. However, just as the puck was about to cross the goal line, Maulucci batted it out of the air with his stick preventing any runaway that the Skyhawks had planned.

Maulucci made 30 of 33 saves giving him 1st star honours.

North Bay would go up by two in the second when Frank Desbiens had a shot blocked but got a second chance and made no mistake.

"I’m not Sidney Crosby, I don’t have magic hands." Desbiens said after. "I work really well with Nathan Hewitt and Joey Imbeau, they played a big part. I guess I guess bared down and got a nice one."

It wasn’t until late in the second that the visitors got on the score sheet. Arron Assinewai didn’t have much room, but somehow found a way to pick a corner short side on Hawk tender Mike Lalande putting his team within one.

With time winding down in the second, the Hawks were called for a bench minor. The penalty carried into the 3rd and the T-birds Chris Towell tied it tipping in a shot from the blueline.

Coach Kerr said that it was his fault. "I can take responsibility for that. I barked at the referee for a non-call. He said that there was (also) something said from one of our players. Worst case scenario we’re tied 2-2 and at this point in the season you have to be able to battle for the full 60 minutes."

The Soo rode the momentum swing taking the lead minutes after when Ryan Maunu came across the crease and slid the it through the five hole. With a goal and two assists, the Soo sniper now has 89 points in 39 games this season.

Desbiens then charged up his team but dropping the coopers with Grant McGee of the Birds.

"That’s the only reason why I did it." The grinder said afterwards. "What happens sometimes is when your team is down and losing, you pump somebody and it sparks something."

That’s precisely what happened when Desbiens line mate Joey Imbeau put home his own rebound squaring the match at three apiece.

The Soo would prevail however scoring on yet another shot from the point that made it's way through a maze and hit a player in front. Drew Jarrett got credit for what would turn out to be the game winner.

Coach Kerr had a stern message for his team going forward.

"I need my top six players to be better," said Kerr.

"To be successful we need to have twenty guys going every night. When we don’t play high tempo hockey, we’re just an average team."

Kerr also called out Nick Kulas and Austin Rugal to be better come Sunday night versus Smith Falls. With the win the Thunderbirds take over second place in the NOJHL standings with 53 points. The Hawks remain in fourth. If North Bay wants to have a shot at first, they had better respond at the Gardens February 12th.

(Story Courtesy of Jacob Robinson of BayToday.ca)

(Photos courtesy of Todd Vandonk)