Thunderbirds return home facing elimination

For the second time in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs, the Soo Thunderbirds will head into a game six facing elimination.

The Thunderbirds dropped a 4-1 decision to the Rayside-Balfour Canadians on Sunday evening to fall behind 3-2 in their best-of-7 West Division final.

The Canadians put the Thunderbirds behind the eight-ball early on thanks to three goals in just over four minutes to take a 3-0 lead before the midway point of the opening period.

Spencer Van Tiem would get the Thunderbirds on the board late in the first period, but the Canadians would seal the win with a late goal in the third period.

Rayside goaltender Brayden Lachance made 36 saves.

Evan Krassey and Taylor Woolcott had a goal and an assist for the Canadians while Kyle Liinamaa set up a pair of goals. 

James White and Ryan O’Bonsawin also scored for the Canadians.

Thunderbirds goaltender Eric Schuch made 24 saves.

Game six is Monday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. If necessary, game seven is Wednesday night in Chelmsford.

The series winner will move on to the NOJHL final to face the East Division champion Cochrane Crunch.