After dropping a 4-0 decision to the Powassan Voodoos on Saturday night, the Soo Thunderbirds rebounded in a key divisional game on Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The Thunderbirds built a 3-0 lead en route to a 4-1 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League win at the John Rhodes Community Centre, picking up their second win in three outings since the league returned to play last week.
The Thunderbirds got on the board first in the opening period when Michael Chaffay beat Beavers goaltender Patrick Boivin with a shot from the slot high stick side through traffic at 12:59.
Cooper Foster made it 2-0 Thunderbirds in the second period when he took a cross-ice pass from Brock Santa Maria on the power play at 18:18.
Santa Maria took a pass in the right circle from Mason Chitaroni before sending the puck to Foster in the left circle.
In the opening minute of the third period Chaffay extended the lead to 3-0 when he scored on a rebound from the slot 42 seconds into the frame. The rebound came after Foster’s initial shot from the left circle hit the post.
Blind River got on the board with 27.8 seconds to go and Meguire Naughton deflected a point shot by Alex Tingay past Noah Zeppa to make it 3-1.
The Thunderbirds capped off the scoring with 2.4 seconds to go as Alfred Rotiroti beat Boivin glove side on a breakaway.
In addition to picking up a goal in the win, Foster had a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds.
Kyle Trottier also had a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds.
Zeppa made 25 saves while Boivin stopped 29 shots for the Beavers.
With the win, the Thunderbirds improve to 21-5-2-3 and move eight points ahead of the Soo (Mich.) Eagles for top spot in the NOJHL’s West Division. The team has gone 7-1-1-1 in its last 10 games.
Blind River falls to 14-12-1-0 with the loss. The team sits one point ahead of the Greater Sudbury Cubs for third in the West Division.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Saturday with a home game against the French River Rapids.
Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is set for 4:15 p.m.