The Soo Thunderbirds have completed the first step in their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff mission.
Trailing 4-3 heading into the third period, the Thunderbirds rallied with two late goals to capture a 5-4 win over the hometown Blind River Beavers on Wednesday night to sweep the best-of-seven Western Division semi-final series 4-0.
The Thunderbirds now advance to the division finals against the Northern Michigan Black Bears.
With the powerful North Bay Skyhawks hosting the Dudley-Hewitt Cup playdowns in late April, the NOJHL will have two representatives at the event with the winner of the division series likely securing a berth into the tournament.
In Blind River, Tom Vernelli tied the game for the Thunderbirds with 3:03 left in regulation time setting up Mike MacMillan's game winner with just 1:25 remaining.
Aaron Anderson opened the game's scoring with his first of two goals just 40 seconds into the contest. Drew Jarrett replied with his first of three goals to tie the score at 1-1 after a period.
The Thunderbirds built a 3-1 lead early in the second period as Matt Dias scored at 2:37 before Anderson, who also recorded an assist, added another 38 seconds later.
Jarrett scored a pair of power play goals and Thomas Laplante scored once to give Blind River the 4-3 lead after two periods.
Both goaltenders were busy as Jarrett Michaels kicked aside 42 of 46 shots for the Soo while Brock Lees stopped 51 of 56 shots for the Beavers.
Kelly Thomspon recorded a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds while Darren Rainville setup up a pair for Blind River.
Photo courtesy of Jim Egan