Thunderbirds struggle on road

The Soo Thunderbirds returned home from a three-game road trip with just a single to put in the standings.

The Thunderbirds, who had played only three Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League games this month heading into the road trip, dropped their opener to Manitoulin 6-4 on Friday before battling Abitibi to a 2-2 draw on Saturday night and dropping a 7-6 shootout to Rayside Balfour on Sunday afternoon.

The locals now hold a 5-5-1 record for 11 points and are tied with Northern Michigan for third spot in the NOJHL’s western division.

The Thunderbirds begin a two-game home stand on Friday against Manitoulin before the North Bay Skyhawks visit on Saturday. Both games begin at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

In Chelmsford on Sunday, Justin Lacey broke a 6-6 tie midway through the third period to lift the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats to the win.

Rayside, who scored the game’s opening goal eight seconds into the first period, led by scores of 3-2 after one period and 6-3 after two.

In the third period, the Thunderbirds stormed back to tie the game at 6-6. Matt Dias scored 1:46 into the period before Kyle Jones added a power play marker at 4:29 and Billy Griffore added another at 9:01.

Lacey’s game winner came just 1:28 after Griffore tied the game.

Matt Hache, a Soo Greyhounds draft pick, made the start in goal but was pulled in favour of Donny Bruni 3:15 into the second period after the Sabrecats went ahead 5-3. Bruni kicked aside 25 of 27 shots the rest of the way.

Ryan Maunu, who also added two assists, Joey Thorburn and Chris Towell also scored for the Thunderbirds.

Josh Slobodian, Steve Zwarich, Matt Williams, David Tambeau, Justin Villeneuve and Trevor Hulme scored for the Sabrecats.

On Saturday, Matt Caria, who earlier added an assist, scored 7:43 into the third period as the Thunderbirds salvaged a 2-2 tie with the Abitibi Eskimos.

Chris Towell also scored for the Soo while Michael Maulucci was solid in goal, kicking aside 32 of 34 shots.

Adam Chircoski and Jessy Lebel replied for the Eskimos.

On Friday, the Maintoulin Wild exploded for four third period goals to erase a 4-2 Thunderbirds lead and record a 6-4 win.

Towell, Maunu, Justin Shelleby on the power play and Caria shorthanded scored for the Thunderbirds. Maunu, Caria and Maulucci each added an assist. Maulucci stopped 38 of 44 shots in goal.

Eldon Cheechoo paced the Wild with two goals, including one into an empty net, while singles went to Larry Moniz, Eric Robin, Curtis Johnson and Denis French.