Thunderbirds reign over Manitoulin

Sunday was no day of rest for Travis O'Brien.

O'Brien could be found stopping pucks all over Northern Ontario as the goaltender played two games in different towns in two different leagues on Sunday.

After being called on in relief for the Soo North Stars in their Great North Midget League game in Rayside Balfour on Sunday afternoon, O'Brien made the trip to Little Current to back-up Mike Downer for the Soo Thunderbirds against the Manitoulin Wild.

After Downer allowed three goals on 10 shots in the first period, the Thunderbirds called on O'Brien who stopped 14 of 16 shots the rest of way, including a penalty shot save, as the Thunderbirds overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat Manitoulin 6-5 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action on Sunday night.

O'Brien is a regular member of the North Stars but was required by the Thunderbirds who are without a back-up goaltender after Frank Carlucci left the team.

After D.J. Jelitto, who also added two assists in the game, gave the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead just 32 seconds into the game, the Wild scored three consecutive goals to take a 3-1 lead and chase Downer from the net.

Aaron Anderson scored a late first period goal to pull the Soo to within one at 3-2.

In the second period with the Wild's Dale Herodier serving a major penalty, Mike MacMillan scored a power play goal 36 seconds into the period to tie the game before Manitoulin regained the lead with a short handed goal just moments later.

Before the power play was out, Alex Butkus scored for the Thunderbirds to tie the game at 4-4. Josh Leddy later scored a power play marker to give the Soo a 5-4 lead after two periods.

MacMillan's second goal of the game late in the third period proved to be the game winner as the Thunderbirds held Manitoulin despite surrendering a late power play goal.

Wild goaltender Matt George stopped 36 of 42 shots fired his way.

Aaron Assinewei led the Wild with two goals and two assists while singles goals went to Ken May, Eldon Cheechoo and Brent Assinewei.

The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 15-4-3-1 for 34 points and maintains a six point lead over Northern Michigan in the West Division standings.

The Thunderbirds return home to begin a two-game homestand against the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats on Friday and Manitoulin on Saturday. Game times are 7:30 p.m. both nights at the John Rhodes Community Centre.