Thunderbirds clawed by Black Bears

From: Ken Hilderley Date: September 07, 2003 01:41:17 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: SooToday Sports Story The Soo Thunderbirds received an early lesson that a hockey game requires a full 60 minutes of effort. Taking a 3-1 lead into the third period, the Thunderbirds collapsed and dropped a 6-4 decision to the Northern Michigan Black Bears at the John Rhodes Centre on Saturday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League exhibition play. The two teams meet again today for an exhibition rematch in Petoskey, Michigan. "If we can take from thing from this game it is that we have to pay 60 minutes to win a hockey game and not 20 minutes," said Thunderbirds head coach Jim Capy, who evaluated the game from the stands while assistant coach Rob Stopar ran the bench duties. "North Bay is hosting the Central Canadian championships so they will be strong and I think Abitibi will be a strong team as well. There is a good balance this year and I don't think you will see too many of the lopsided scores. We will need to be prepared to play hard every night to be successful." Bryan Pearce put the Thunderbirds ahead 1-0 three minutes into the first period before Northern Michigan's Russell Law put a puck behind Thunderbirds goaltender Rob Cundari 19 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1. Justin Towell gave the Thunderbirds a 2-1 lead in the second period with an unassisted goal before Aaron Anderson's power play marker put the team ahead 3-1. With the Thunderbirds on their heals in the third period, Northern Michigan lit up Sault goaltender Frank Carlucci for four goals in a 10 minutes span. Kevin McDonald on the power play, Derek Stabile, Chris Kraft and Brandon Barnhart all scored to give the Black Bears a 5-3 lead. D.J. Jellitto, who was cut from the Soo Greyhounds camp earlier this week, brought the Thunderbirds to within one goal with 3:05 remaining. "I think we are going to have a good rivalry with these guys and I think that is great for the league to have a team playing in Northern Michigan. It is great exposure for the league and it adds to the competitiveness of the league," said Capy. With a few spots on the roster still up for grabs, Capy is looking to make some final roster decisions as early as Monday. The Thunderbirds open the regular season next Saturday in Blind River. The home opener is scheduled for Sept. 17 against Northern Michigan at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Centre. Northern Michigan is a first year entry in the NOJHL playing out of St. Ignace. The team is coached by former Soo Indians assistant Rick Corbiere and assisted by Chuck Fabry, fresh off a four year NCAA hockey career at Michigan Tech University. Both Corbiere and Fabry are natives of the Michigan Sault. A pair of Sault Ontario residents also play key roles in the organization including assistant coach, advisor and scout Gerry Lortie and director of hockey operations Charly Murray.