Photos: Bob Davies
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Soo Thunderbirds built up a lead and never trailed as they went on to drop the Blind River Beavers 4-2 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Saturday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
A fast-paced first period saw Sault Ste. Marie opening the scoring at 15:36 as Aiden Atkinson spun and pumped in a rebound from the right of Blind River netminder Bronx Bodnar, off a deflected point shot by Jake McPherson.
Adding another early in the middle frame, the Thunderbirds came out of their own zone quickly and worked it deep into Beavers’ territory when Rex Rhodes made a perfect back pass from the end boards right to Jonathan Sonedecker who buried it.
It was more from the Soo when defenceman Kyle Cregan kept a play in the Beavers’ end and sizzled a feed in front that was neatly redirected in by Griffin Albert for his first NOJHL tally.
Coming out in the third period, Blind River tucked in two on the power play early to make it interesting.
Aaron Dukeshire notched the initial man advantage effort on a four-on-three as he cranked in a one-timer off a give-and-go with Owen King.
The Beavers then clicked while up two skaters as Levi Lux jammed a chance under T-Birds’ goalkeeper Lincoln Mellenthin.
Regrouping, the Soo tightened up defensively and put the game away with a late empty netter off the stick to Callum McAuley to secure the home victory.
The result sees the T-Birds move to 2-0-1 on the year while Blind River dips to 2-1.
