Thunderbirds edge Beavers

A three goal second period helped lift the Soo Thunderbirds to a 4-3 road win over the Blind River Beavers in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action on Saturday night.

The Thunderbirds' rally to tie the score at 3-3 set the stage for Aaron Assinewei's game winner just 2:47 into the third period.

Darren Rainville scored a first period marker while Sault product Jason Bird added another 4:35 into the second period for a 2-0 Blind River lead. Mike McMillan scored 18 seconds after Bird to pull the Thunderbirds to within a goal but Anthony Libonati increased the lead to 3-1 midway through the frame.

Later in the period, the Thunderbirds pulled back into the game with goals 2:02 apart starting with McMillan's second of the night followed by a power play marker from Chris Towell.

Ryan Maunu and Matt Conway added a pair of assists in the win while Libonati and Rainville added assists for the Beavers. Travis O'Brien took the win in goal while Andre Laperriere was tagged with the loss. Blind River outshot the Soo 36-34.

The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 20-10-1 for 41 points and third place overall in the NOJHL, one point behind the North Bay Skyhawks, who have a game in hand. The Sudbury Junior Wolves remain on top with 48 points.

The Beavers fall to 13-16-3 for 29 points and are seven points behind fourth place Northern Michigan.

Next action for the Thunderbirds is Friday against Sudbury to begin a three-game homestand at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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The Soo Thunderbirds have brought in 20 year-old defenseman Jacob Porco to help fill the void on defense with Michael Quesnele's promotion to the Soo Greyhounds. Porco is a former Soo North Star midget and had been currently playing in the local men's league. Porco also studies full-time at Lake Superior State University.