Thunderbirds clinch Provenzano Cup

The Soo Thunderbirds have had their way with the Blind River Beavers for much of this season.

Although the two teams have played to some tight-checking affairs, the Thunderbirds have enjoyed even more success than usual against the Beavers in their recent meetings.

Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre was no different as the Thunderbirds scored an 8-1 decision over the Beavers to claim the Carmen Provenzano Memorial Cup, a 10-game regular season series between the two teams in memory of the former local MP.

Through the early stages of the game, it looked as though the game would be a low-scoring, tight-checking affair as the two teams managed some chances.

Mike McMillan then opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds with his first goal of the night at 10:56 of the opening period. McMillan then proceeded to give the Thunderbirds a 2-0 lead when he converted a perfect feed from Mark Thorburn at 14:41.

McMillan again found his way onto the scoresheet early in the second period when he converted a power play goal at 3:37 to complete his natural hat-trick. Just for good measure, McMillan potted his fourth goal of the night when he was sent in alone on goaltender Don Bruni by Thorburn and beat the Sault native to make the score 4-0.

Nick Minardi gave the Thunderbirds a 5-0 lead a short time later before Anthony Libonati cut the score to 5-1 heading into the third period.

Thorburn picked up a pair of third period goals just under five minutes apart in the third period, while Tyler Gendron also picked up a goal in the period, originally credited to Soo North Stars callup Dan Vernelli.

“I’m very pleased (with the effort),” said Thunderbirds coach Pat Carricato. “We executed out chances and we didn’t give up a whole lot of chances. I asked the defence to step up (in the absence of Michael Quesnele and Matt Conway) and with those guys missing, they did.”

“It looked like men playing against boys out there,” said Beavers coach Jim Capy. “For whatever reason we don’t compete (when we play the Thunderbirds). We didn’t start off too bad but you make a mistake and their skill guys kill you. They’ve got probably the two best premier guys in the league.”

Carricato added that he was pleased with the play off a pair of Soo North Stars call-ups in Vernelli and 15-year-old defenceman Dylan King, who both saw regular shifts and chipped in where needed.

“Every time we have them, they play well,” Carricato said of the North Stars call-ups the Thunderbirds have used this season. “As a coach you don’t hesitate to put them out there at any time.”

The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 17-9 while the Beavers drop to 10-14-0-3.

The Thunderbirds are back in action on home ice on Friday evening when they face the Sudbury Junior Wolves, a team they have yet to defeat this season. Game time at the John Rhodes Community Centre is 7:30 p.m.

The Beavers will be home to Manitoulin on Saturday night before returning to Sault Ste. Marie to take on the Thunderbirds on Sunday evening at 7 p.m.

(Photos courtesy of Jim Egan.)