The Soo Thunderbirds used a quick start and then turned to their stellar defense to finish the job.
The Thunderbirds scored four times in a span of 5:59 in the first period and cruised to a 4-2 victory over their rival Blind River Beavers in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action on Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The victory pulled the Thunderbirds, who improve to 8-6-1-1 for 18 points, into a second place tie in the western division with the Beavers although the Soo has a game in hand. The Beavers fall to 8-7-1-1.
Joey Thorburn opened the scoring at 7:42 before Billy Griffore's short handed effort 1:34 later chased Beavers starting goaltender Brock Lees from the net in favour of Sault product Kevin King.
Matt Dias scored at 13:13 before Matt Caria capped the Thunderbirds scoring 28 seconds later.
"If the game would have started at 8:10(p.m.) instead of 7:30(p.m.) it would have been a different game," said Beavers head coach Jim Capy, back for his fourth game behind the bench after a lengthy suspension. "You don't get any points for sleep walking.
"Teams need to understand, and it's not just us, that you have to compete in every game this year or you are going to lose. They competed in the first period, we didn't and then we found ourselves down four goals against a very good goaltender. We competed in the second and third but it was too late then. We haven't had an easy game yet this year."
Bobby Seymour scored for the Beavers in the second period while Darren Rainville added another in the game's final minute.
Ryan Maunu, who is tied for the league scoring lead with Rainville, added two assists for the Thunderbirds. Michael Maulucci was once again solid between the pipes for the Soo and was named the game's first star.
The Thunderbirds outshot the Beavers 17-6 in the first period and 39-25 overall.
"We have really tightened up our game defensively," said Thunderbirds head coach Toots Kovacs. "We only gave up 23 shots against Rayside (on Sunday) and 25 tonight. It really says a lot about our defensive play to only give up 25 shots against a talented team like that. (Assistant coach) Pat (Carricato) had done an excellent job with our D.
"Our players are starting to but into our system. We preach a strong forecheck, one guy always high and our D standing up. Just the simple things. They are young men and fall asleep once and awhile but for the most part we have been doing a great job lately."
Kovacs also praised the Soo North Stars program for helping his team fill roster spots when needed.
"We have counted on the midgets to help us out and they continue to do so. Tonight we had 15 year-old Brad DiCandia in there and we played him in some tough situations and he played well."
Blind River's Matt Buha, who was recently acquired from the Michigan Soo Indians, was ejected in the first period after running Maulucci in the net.
"I thought the shot on Maulucci in the first period was a cheap shot," added Kovacs. "I'm sure this will register with a few of our boys and it will be placed in the bank. With the talent of Buha, there is no need for him to play that way."
The Beavers continue to play without Sault product Lucas Goodall, who suffered a broken ankle early in the season. Goodall skated for the first time this week.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Sunday evening as they visit the division leading Manitoulin Wild. Next home action for the locals is Wednesday, Nov. 24 against Northern Michigan.
(All photos provided by Jim Egan.)
CURRENTLY WRITING.