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Thunderbirds rebound in convincing fashion

The Soo Thunderbirds and Rayside-Balfour Canadians will go back to Chelmsford with their playoff series tied at two
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The difference 24 hours can make in a playoff series is huge.

On Wednesday night, the Soo Thunderbirds dropped a 4-3 decision to the Rayside-Balfour Canadians to fall behind in their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff series.

Thursday night saw the Thunderbirds battle back with a convincing 8-2 victory over the Canadians to tie the series at two games apiece.

Trailing 2-1 through 20 minutes, the Thunderbirds scored seven unanswered goals, including five in the third period in the victory.

Tyler Malpass had two goals and an assist for the Thunderbirds while defencemen Robert Calisti and Steven Bellini assisted on four goals each for the home team. Lucas Theriault, Kaidan McDonald and Noah Solinger chipped in with a goal and an assist each. 

Mark Tassone, Nick Smith and Braden Robbins also scored for the Thunderbirds, who scored five power play goals in the contest. 

Kyle Liinamaa and Brady Maltais scored for the Canadians. Matthew Neault assisted on both goals.

Goaltender Brayden Lachance stopped 43 shots for Rayside.

The series shifts to Chelmsford for game five on Sunday with game six set for the following night in Sault Ste. Marie. Game seven, if needed, will be Wednesday night in Chelmsford.


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Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
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