With all of the uncertainty surrounding their future in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan the Soo Indians continued their rise to the top of the North American Hockey League's North Division standings with a weekend sweep of the Cleveland Barons.
The Indians, who are expected to fold at the end of the season after 10 seasons operating out of the Michigan Sault, opened the NAHL season with two wins through their first eight games and they now find themselves in a tight battle with the U.S. National Team Development Program – which features the top American players under 18-years-old on their roster – for the North Division title.
The sweep of Cleveland was redemption for the Indians as well, as the Barons swept the Indians last weekend in Cleveland.
On Friday night, the Indians used a pair of late third period goals from Matt Jones and Matthew Buckley to defeat the Barons 3-1. Joe Beaudry scored the other Soo goal while Nick Kosinski scored the lone Barons goal. Jason Kearney stopped 23 Barons shots for the victory in goal.
Saturday night's victory was very similar to Friday's in that the Indians needed a pair of third period goals to take the decision.
The Indians carried the play for much of the first two periods only to be turned away time and again by Barons goaltender Bobby Jarosz. The Barons netminder stopped 22 Indians shots through two periods including a breakaway by Nik Sellers early in the second period.
Midway through the third period, the Indians managed to crack the armour of Jarosz when Ray Kaunisto knocked a rebound past the sprawled out goaltender at 9:05.
The goal turned out to be all the scoring the Indians would need although Jones sealed the win in the final minute by scoring into an empty net to give the Indians a 2-0 victory and a weekend sweep.
Indians head coach Joe Shawhan was extremely pleased with his club's effort in the sweep, although he did credit Cleveland commenting on how competitive the team has been each time they faced the Indians.
"I thought (Saturday) was a great game. Our defence was outstanding tonight," Shawhan said. "Every game we've played them has been a good game. I give Cleveland a lot of credit."
Shawhan also expressed his pride for the effort the players have put out all season long, especially considering the fact that the team will likely be folding come season's end.
"I'm just so proud of these kids," Shawhan said. "With all the stuff that's gone on about the team folding, I couldn't be prouder of these kids."
The Indians now look ahead to another pair of home games on Mar. 2 and 3 when the Youngstown Phantoms are in town to take on the Indians at the Chi Mukwa Community Recreation Centre. Game time on both nights is 7 p.m.