O'Brien leads Thunderbirds to win (Updated with 6 photos)

Travis O'Brien turned in a solid performance in goal to lead the Soo Thunderbirds to a 2-1 victory to open the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season.

On Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Thunderbirds goaltender stopped 31 shots, including 14 in a scoreless third period, as the locals stopped the Abitibi Eskimos.

"I thought he was awsome. He was our best player," said Thunderbirds head coach Pat Carricato. "The kds and coaches have a lot of confidence in him. We'll have to rely on our goaltender and defense early in the season and they have a job to do."

Thunderbirds forward Adam Kauppi opened the scoring in the first period with a power play goal while David Proulx tied the score minutes later with a power play goal of his own.

Nick Minardi, who assisted on Kauppi's goal, notched the game winner in the second period.

"I struggled in the preseason and I don't really know what it was," said O'Brien, who will also get the start on Saturday. "I'm just glad it ended. I never lost my confidence and I didn't lose any sleep over it."

The Thunderbirds fired 30 shots at the Eskimos.

The locals are back in action on Saturday as the North Bay Skyhawks visit the Rhodes for a 7:30 p.m. start.

For more game pictures from Friday, click the link to the photo gallery at the bottom of this story.

*** SOO INDIANS:

The Soo Indians also opened the NOJHL season on Friday night at the Big Bear Arena in the Michigan Sault with a 3-1 win over the North Bay Skyhawks.

Joe Larson, Nick Zilka and Chris Cooper scored for the Indians while Joe Trotter replied for the Skyhawks. Brennan Poderzay stopped 17 shots in goal for the win.

The Indians host Abitibi on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Big Bear.

*** AROUND THE NOJHL:

In Little Current, the Sudbury Junior Wolves spoiled the Manitoulin Islanders home opener on Friday with a 6-3 win. Scoring details are not yet available.

On Wednesday in Sudbury, the Wolves nipped the Blind River Beavers 6-4. Former Soo Greyhound Scott Restoule and Brendan Biedermann scored two goals each for the Wolves with singles going to Matt Chiupka and Mike Andrighetti. Jason Bird replied with two goals for the Beavers while Jeremy Hilliard and Jared Siganuk added a goal each.

***

(All photos courtesy of Jim Egan)