The Soo Thunderbirds dream of a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season championship may have came to an end on Friday night in North Bay.
Trailing the hometown Skyhawks by 10 points with three games in hand heading into the contest, the Thunderbirds dropped a 7-2 decision to North Bay and fell 12 points behind the league leaders with six games remaining in the regular season.
The Western Division leading Thunderbirds needs just one more win to clinch the division title over the Northern Michigan Black Bears.
On Friday, North Bay scored the game's first five goals, including four in the second period, and cruised to the victory.
Patrick Power led the Skyhawks attack with three goals and an assist while single goals went to Kyle Van Groningan, Tyler Eady, Ryan Silveira and Bruce Winn. David Frawley and Sylvain Houle recorded three assists each.
D.J. Jelitto and Tom Vernelli scored for the Thunderbirds.
Jarrett Michaels started the game in net for the Soo but was pulled in favour of Casey Mapes at the start of the third period.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Wednesday as they host the Blind River Beavers at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
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