Theriault, Boman pace Thunderbirds in series opener (9 photos)

It’s a battle between the top two teams in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's West Division during the regular season and the Soo Thunderbirds drew first blood on Saturday night.

A pair of three-point nights from two of their top players in Lucas Theriault and Noah Boman lifted the Thunderbirds to a 4-1 victory on Saturday at the John Rhodes Community Centre over the Rayside-Balfour Canadians.

In the process, the Thunderbirds also take a 1-0 series lead over the Canadians, who finished in second in the NOJHL’s West Division behind the Thunderbirds.

Theriault finished the night with two goals and an assist while Boman chipped in with a goal and two assists on Saturday.

Spencer Van Tiem also scored for the locals.

Nolan Ford assisted on a pair of goals.

Thunderbirds goaltender Colin Ahern stopped 20 shots.

Carson McMillan has the lone goal for the Canadians while goaltender David Bowen had a busy night, making 36 saves.

The Thunderbirds advances to the West Division final thanks to a 4-2 series win over the Blind River Beavers.

Rayside got into the division final thanks to a series win over the Soo (Mich.) Eagles.

The winner of the Thunderbirds/Canadians series will move on to the NOJHL final to face the East Division final winner. That series has the Hearst Lumberjacks facing the Powassan Voodoos.

Hearst took game one of that series thanks to a 4-3 overtime victory on Saturday.

Game two between the Thunderbirds and Canadians is set for Sunday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.