T-Birds up two on Eagles
Soo Thunderbirds have taken a commanding two games to none lead on the Soo Eagles in what so far has been a one-sided Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League West Division semi-final playoff series.
In front of a Monday night crowd of just over 300 at the Essar Centre, the Thunderbirds out-shot the Eagles 44-14 en route to a decisive 6-0 victory.
As was the case in the series opener on Saturday when the Thunderbirds scored early and often in a 9-3 triumph, the regular-season champions got off to another fast start on Monday with two goals in a 16-second span before the four-minute mark of the first frame.
Rookie forward Darian Pilon paced the Thunderbirds to the Monday night whitewash with two goals while Jaren Bellini, Joey Miller, Matt Mitchell and Matt Pinder tallied once apiece in support of the shutout goal-tending of the rarely-tested Connor Ryckman.
To be sure, the Eagles have not looked good in the opening two games of the series.
Besides being out-scored 15-3 in the two contests, the Eagles have been out-shot by a resounding 92-33 margin. The Eagles have also failed to take advantage when on the power play as they are 0-9 with the extra man.
The Eagles will now look to rebound on home ice as the series shifts to Pullar Stadium in the Michigan Soo for Game 3 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Game 4 on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
In leading the 12-team NOJHL in attendance with a per-game average of 612, the Eagles have been a much-better team at home in the cozy confines of the Pullar. The Eagles defeated the Thunderbirds twice at the Pullar during the regular season.
PHOTO: Soo Thunderbirds defenseman Michael Caruso had a pair of assists in Monday’s 6-0 win over the Soo Eagles. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
The best thing I have seen from Eagles is their cheep shots and cross checks from the likes of Ketner,Helmuth,Murphy,only to name a few. Seems as though they Are real tough when T-birds have highly skilled lines on ice. All of a sudden they become cowards when our enforcers are on ice. Typical of a team that is of lesser talent ,can’t beat them on ice – beat them with your sticks! So sad.
Typical of the Eagles and Sir Cappy. They are a waste of talent, running around, slew footing, hooking, slashing you name it . Wow try playing hockey Cappy!!! Commissioner waiting for someone to get seriously hurt before you do anything about the officals in this league especially the homer ones officiating the Eagles home games……??????
Are you serious?!?! NOJHL Fan RT and Piefeace?!?!? The Thunderbirds are the ones that are known as the “Dirty Birds” with those Pillon pekkers leading the way!!!
Both Teams are using using their sticks against one another, the referees should take control of the game and call the penalties .This will stop the Hacking and prevent the players from getting hurt ,that’s what we should be concerned about .