T-Birds extend series
Soo Thunderbirds stared elimination straight in the eyes on Saturday and did not flinch. Eric Schuch made 27 saves and rookie forward Camaryn Baber made a triumphant return to the lineup as the T-Birds forced a sixth game in their Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoff series with the Soo Eagles.
Playing at home before a crowded house at John Rhodes Community Centre, the Thunderbirds shrugged off back-to-back 3-0 shutouts to post a 3-0 blanking of their own.
The Eagles now lead the best-of-seven West Division semi-final three games to two. Game 6 is slated for Monday night at 7:00 at Pullar Stadium in the Michigan Soo.
After a score-less opening period, the Thunderbirds finally beat Eagles goalie Carter McPhail, who allowed his first goal in more than 190 minutes — dating back to Game 2 — when Kaiden McDonald gave the home side a 1-0 lead.
The Thunderbirds then went up 2-0 in the second stanza when the aforementioned Baber — who had been sidelined since the first week of March with a concussion — found the back of the net. Baber — a top prospect of the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League — was a going concern throughout the match with a relentless effort.
The Thunderbirds put the game on ice late in the third period on a goal by Mark Tassone.
As the T-Birds played an outstanding all-around team game, 2001 birth-year defenseman Tristano Cicchello stood out on the blue-line with the poise of a veteran rather than the panic of a rookie.
PHOTO: Action from Game 5 on Saturday between the Thunderbirds and Eagles.