Thunderbirds regain home-ice advantage against Canadians

Home ice in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division final is back in the hands of the Soo Thunderbirds.

After dropping an overtime decision on Sunday night in game two, the Thunderbirds skated to a 6-1 win over the Rayside-Balfour Canadians on Wednesday night at the Chelmsford Arena to take a 2-1 series lead in the process.

The Thunderbirds scored a pair of goals in each period en route to Wednesday’s victory.

Noah Boman led the way for the Thunderbirds with three goals, including a pair on the power play.

Kaidan McDonald added a goal and an assist for the visitors while Steven Bellini and Nick Smith also had two-point nights with a pair of assists each.

Brendan Miller and Tyler Malpass also scored for the Thunderbirds.

Sault goaltender Colin Ahern made 29 saves.

Ethan Lavallee had the lone goal for the Canadians.

David Bowen got the start in goal for Rayside-Balfour but was pulled after giving up four goals on 24 shots. Sebastien Plamondon stopped 14 of 16 shots the rest of the way.

Game four is set for Thursday night in Chelmsford.

Game five on Saturday night back in Sault Ste. Marie. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at the GFL Memorial Gardens.

If necessary, game six is Monday night back in Chelmsford. Game seven, also if necessary, would be in Sault Ste. Marie on April 10 at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

In the NOJHL’s East Division final, the Hearst Lumberjacks beat the Powassan Voodoos 5-2 on Wednesday in Powassan to take a commanding 3-0 series lead heading into game four on Thursday night.

Max Johnson had three goals for Hearst in Wednesday’s victory.