Thunderbirds soar over Manitoulin

The Soo Thunderbirds began a four game road trip with a win over the Manitoulin Wild on Friday night.

The Thunderbirds extended their unbeaten streak with a 5-3 win over the Wild to improve to 11-0-2- in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

Trailing 3-2 after two periods, the Thunderbirds rallied with three third period goals to claim the win.

Mike MacMillan tied the game 1:55 into the third period before Tom Vernelli scored the game winner with just over six minutes remaining. MacMillan added his second goal of the night to close the scoring.

Justin Towell scored for the Thunderbirds in the first period and Mark Evans added a second period marker. Andrew Jakubaitis and Kelly Thomson recorded two assists each.

Jack Rivers, Aaron Assinewai and Ken May scored for Manitoulin.

The Soo outshot Manitoulin 44-31. Thunderbirds goaltender Mike Downer stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced.

The Thunderbirds continue their road swing on Saturday night in Iroquois Falls against the Abitibi Eskimos.

The Soo does not return home until November 7 when they host Abitibi at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

In another NOJHL contest on Friday night, Paul Pidutti stopped all 32 shots he faced in net as the Sudbury Northern Wolves defeated the Northern Michigan Black Bears 2-0.

On Thursday night, Ryan Scott recorded the shutout as Abitibi blanked the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats 3-0. On Wednesday, Martin Doyle scored twice to lead Sudbury over Manitoulin 6-2.