NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, March 14, 2015
Thunderbirds take 2-0 series lead on Beavers
BLIND RIVER – The Soo Thunderbirds scored multiple goals in each period en route to a 10-1 triumph over the Blind River Beavers Saturday evening in Game 2 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division semifinal at Blind River Community Centre.
With the decision, the Thunderbirds now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 heading into Game 3 Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Thunderbirds took control early on jumping out to a 4-0 lead after one period of play on a pair of markers from Jaren Bellini and solo efforts supplied by Matt Busby and Matt Caruso.
They added three more in the middle session to go up by seven as Eric Hillock, Matthew Mitchell and David Radke all found the back of the net before Blind River got their first goal of the series, which came off the stick of Matt DaCosta with 1:38 to go in the second.
Three more tallies in the third rounded out the scoring for the T-Birds with Anthony Miller adding one and Caruso tacking on two more to complete a hat trick.
Nicolas Sicoly dished out three assists to aid the Soo offensive cause as part of an outburst that saw 14 different Thunderbirds skaters pick up at least one point.
Mario Culina made 18 saves to record the win with Zachary Mills starting for the Beavers and facing 18 shots in 20 minutes of work and suffering the loss while Braddock Baalerud was pelted with 49 attempts in two periods of relief.
West Semifinal 1
No. 1 Soo Thunderbirds vs. No. 4 Blind River Beavers
Thunderbirds lead best-of-seven series 2-0
Game 1: Soo 11 Blind River 0
Game 2: Soo 10 Blind River 1
Game 3: Sunday, March 15 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7:30 p.m. (John Rhodes)
Game 4: Tuesday, March 17 @ Blind River 7:30 p.m. (Blind River)
Game 5*: Thursday, March 19 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes)
Game 6*: Saturday, March 21 @ Blind River 7:30 p.m. (Blind River)
Game 7*: Monday, March 23 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes)
*-if necessary
