Thunderbirds finally tame Wolves

Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury have always had a heated hockey rivalry, although many people know it from the many battles between the Ontario Hockey League's Greyhounds and Wolves.

After Friday night, many people may be looking at a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League rivalry as well.

The Soo Thunderbirds and Sudbury Junior Wolves met up on Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre in a game that saw sparks fly after the final whistle.

The Thunderbirds entered action having lost each of the previous four meetings with the Wolves. In putting together a quality effort the Thunderbirds battled their way to a 4-1 victory over the Nickel City squad. An early goal by Adam Kauppi, just 3:08 into the opening period, gave the Thunderbirds the all-important first goal. A pair of goals, just 19 seconds apart, later in the period by Justin Shelleby and Mike McMillan in the final minute gave the Thunderbirds even more energy heading into the second period. The two goals came while the teams were playing four-on-four.

A better effort by the Wolves in the middle frame, in which they outshot the Thunderbirds 13-11, saw the visitors cut the Thunderbirds lead to two goals when Jamie Dallaire scored at 12:21.

Sudbury's Ryan Mathes had an opportunity to cut the lead to one goal but could beat Michael Maulucci in the Soo goal late in the period. Just prior to the Mathes opportunity, Sudbury goaltender Darren Rowlandson made a key save on Justin Shelleby to keep the game close.

Kyle Rodgers put the game away for the Thunderbirds with his 10th goal of the season at 12:10, giving the Thunderbirds the 4-1 victory. That wasn't all that was left though as, after the final buzzer the ten skaters left on the ice got into their own little scuffle. The scuffle included Rowlandson, the Sudbury goaltender, although the Thunderbirds goaltender Maulucci did not get involved.

"It just got out of hand," Thunderbirds coach Pat Carricato said of the post-game problems. "I don't condone it either. It got heated and the players got heated. I tried to calm (the players) down, but emotions take over."

Carricato noted that he was pleased with the play of his team, on top of the end result.

"They played well tonight," said Carricato. "Defensively, I thought they played well. We limited their chances to the outside. We had about another four glorious chances that their goaltender made beautiful saves on. It was an all-around effort. In the last four or five games our mistakes have been less and less.

"Right now, in the last week or so, aside from the North Bay game, I'm happy (with the way we played)," Carricato continued. "To be a top team in this league you've got to be consistent. Once we start being consistent, winning is contageous. If we can play consistently, we have a good chance at winning this (the league). If we play consistent, we're right there with the top teams in this league."

On top of a quality effort, Carricato added that the ability to contain NOJHL leading scorer Brian McGarry of the Wolves was important as well.

"We talked about it before the game," Carricato said of containing McGarry, who finished the game with an assist. "He's one of the most dangerous players in the league. We made (the players) aware that when he steps on the ice and you're on the ice, you need to be aware of where he is. You can't give him room because if you give him room, he's going to hurt you."

The Thunderbirds, not yet knowing the status of the five players – Zac McNally, Mark Thorburn, Chris Towell, Justin Shelleby, and Tyler Lannigan – involved in the post-game scuffle, now prepare for another meeting with the Blind River Beavers.

The two teams met on Wednesday evening at the John Rhodes Community Centre and will meet again at the same venue on Sunday evening in a 7 p.m. start.

A Wednesday evening home game against the Northern Michigan Black Bears will cap off the Thunderbirds pre-Christmas schedule.

GAME PHOTOS WILL BE ADDED.