A pair of third period goals mean the Soo Thunderbirds will finish second in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division.
Matthew Neault and Baldino Aiello scored just over six minutes apart to give the Rayside-Balfour Canadians a 3-1 victory over the Thunderbirds and clinch the West Division title for the Sudbury-based club.
Rayside goaltender Brayden Lachance made 44 saves, including 18 in the second period, a period that saw the Canadians get outshot 18-2.
Noah Serre had the other goal for the Canadians, who finish the regular season with a 37-14-4-1 record.
Alex Acosta had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds.
Sault goaltender Brandon Gordon stopped 15 shots.
The Thunderbirds, 36-16-2-1, wrap up regular season action on Wednesday night at home against the Soo (Mich.) Eagles. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is 7:30 p.m.
More local news
Browse local flyers
Weather forecast
Find local deals
View local webcams
Verified Commenter, please