T-Birds outwork Bears for victory

Zoltan "Toots" Kovacs made few promises when he took over as head coach of the Soo Thunderbirds, but the one he did make was delivered on opening night.

As a rookie coach in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Kovacs made a preseason promise that his team would have a tireless work ethic.

That work ethic lifted the new look team to a thrilling come-from-behind 6-4 win over the heavily favoured Northern Michigan Black Bears in the season opener for both teams on Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Trailing by scores of 2-0 in the first period and 4-1 in the second, the Thunderbirds rallied with two goals late in the second frame and dominated the third period with three more markers to secure the victory.

"Dave (Watson), Pat (Carricato) and I asked the players after the second period to empty the tank and they did. After the game, they had nothing left," said Kovacs.

Despite having little time to work on a power play system, the Thunderbirds scored five of their six goals with the man advantage.

"We basically had to just go with skill on the power play tonight. The only time we worked on the power play was on the chalk board prior to the game. Yesterday was the first practise we had as a team as we had some players away at other camps and stuff," said Kovacs.

"It just goes to show that these kids listen and are willing to learn and adapt to what we want to teach them."

Northern Michigan jumped to an early lead 6:00 into the game as Ryan Murtaugh outwaited a sprawling Michael Maulucci to beat him upstairs for the goal. Thirty seconds later, Rob Floyd added another for the Black Bears to give the visitors a two goal advantage.

Matt Dias, a Sudbury Wolves draft pick, put the locals on the board on the power play at 11:58 as Northern Michigan paid the price for a poor line change.

After failing to get the puck past the Thunderbirds defense in the neutral zone on a clearing attempt, Mike MacMillan hustled into the open Black Bears zone and fired a shot at goaltender Tony Stoehr. Dias then collected the rebound and beat a helpless Stoehr.

In the second period, Michael Herbert and Russell Law scored to give Northern Michigan what seemed to be a commanding 4-1 lead.

But the Thunderbirds rallied with two goals before the end of the period as Jeff Elliott ripped a shot past Stoehr from the high slot on the power play before rookie Ryan Maunu tipped a Tyler Lannigan point shot past Stoehr with the Birds enjoying a two-man advantage.

It was all Thunderbirds in the third period as MacMillan scored his first of two goals 1:44 into the frame to tie the score at 4-4 before exciting newcomer Pat Keating scored on the power play at 9:57 to lift the locals into the lead.

MacMillan swarmed on a loose puck and beat Stoehr once again on the power play to cap the scoring with 7:25 remaining in the game.

"We were outplayed, outmuscled and outworked," said a disappointed Northern Michigan head coach Jerry Lortie. "We took them too lightly. We've had three practises and two exhibition games and (the Thunderbirds) didn't have that luxury. We have no excuse. We need to improve our work ethic and puck movement."

Maulucci picked up the win in net by stopping 21 of 25 Northern Michigan shots. The Thunderbirds fired 32 shots at Stoehr.

MacMillan added two assists for the Soo while Maunu also added a pair of helpers. Dias, Lannigan, Matt Conway and Matt Caria recorded one assist each. Jordan Boman had two assists for the Black Bears.

The Thunderbirds will now enjoy a solid week of practise before hosting the Blind River Beavers next Wednesday at the Rhodes beginning at 7:30 p.m. The teams will then meet again three days later in Blind River on Sept. 18.

Elsewhere in the NOJHL on opening night, the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats scored three times in the first period to power past the Sudbury Northern Wolves 3-1 in Copper Cliff. Andrew Hawes, a former Northern Wolf, led the Sabrecats with a goal and an assist.

*** THUNDERBIRDS NOTEBOOK:

* POLITICS 101: Local Thunderbirds fans were curiously awaiting the arrival of Darren Miller, a top notch prospect of the Soo Greyhounds, who was assigned to the Thunderbirds on Friday.

But Miller became the subject of a political hockey battle and will likely not see action in Sault Ste. Marie this season.

Because Thunder Bay, Miller's hometown, is under their own association with residency requirements, the third round draft pick of the Hounds in May was not granted a release and transfer from the Thunder Bay association.

An appeal was then filed by the Thunderbirds to Hockey Canada and were once again denied. Now out of options, Miller is forced against his will to return home for the season.

Miller would only be allowed to play in Sault Ste. Marie if a contract is signed with the Greyhounds.

* LOCAL TIES: Thunderbirds fans caught their first glimpse of 20 year-old forward Pat Keating on Wednesday night. Keating, a New Liskeard native, arrived in the Sault in time for the game after playing last season in Port Hope.

With several relatives in the Sault, Keating, described as very personable, decided to make this city his home for winter and is expected to be a major contributor and team leader this season.

* MacMILLAN DEPARTS: After a one-game appearance, veteran offensive spark plug Mike MacMillan is leaving the team for Montana.

"MacMillan is a gem of hockey player and I would welcome him back in a second," said Kovacs.

* NO PEARSE: Veteran forward Bryan Pearse has left the team to pursue educational opportunities in Southern Ontario.

Pearse is beginning an apprenticeship in refrigeration in Burlington and will explore his hockey options in the area.

"He's a great kid and we wish him well. We're willing to let him play where ever he needs to play down there and there is no way we would ever hold him back from playing," said Kovacs.

PHOTO: Thunderbirds sniper Mike MacMillan. (All photos courtesy of Jim Egan)