Wins for T-Birds, RBC
Soo Thunderbirds and Rayside Balfour Canadians both used home ice to score victories in Game 1 action of their respective Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League, West Division, semi-final sets on Saturday.
SOO T-BIRDS 4, BLIND RIVER 2
Brendan Miller’s power play marker with 3:10 left in the third period proved to be the game winner as the Thunderbirds edged the visiting Blind River Beavers.
An empty-net goal clinched the 4-2 victory for the Soo.
Sault Ste. Marie product Garrett Boyonoski was a standout in goal for Blind River with 37 saves.
Game 2 goes tonight at 7:00 in the Soo.
RAYSIDE BALFOUR 2, SOO EAGLES 1
In a duel of goalies it was the home team that prevailed.
David Bowen made 31 saves to backstop the Canadians past the Eagles by a narrow 2-1 score.
Shane Brancato made 34 saves in defeat for the Eagles, who will try to even the best-of-seven series tonight in a 6:30 road match in Chelmsford.
Minor detail i think boyonoski should have recieced one of three star players of the game last night.
I think the Nojhl should change their groupings of officials for the playoffs. The officials who have officiated the western division all regular season should officiate the eastern division. Its been an ongoing thing for over 8 + years. These guys see the same teams over and over and when it comes to the playoffs its the same players and coaches. They already have their mind made up before the game starts who their keeping an eye or an ear for. Just waiting for them to make a mistake or ssy something. Give the refs a new venue for the playoffs. You go to the soo and play the t- birds you get soo refs. The t- birds go to elliot lake espanola or blind river you get the same soo refs. Really. Now you have the playoffs they ruined 2 great games so far. These boys battled hard to play in what could have been a great game, to be ruined by bad officiating. You can call it what you want i am speaking for more then myself. Even soo fans were most disappointed in the one sided events.
Who calls the stars for the games, i cant beleive they gave a game star to number 28. He speared s player, ” no call” a cross check, player down ” no call. A charge feet completely off the ice, ” no call “. A fight at the end of the 3rd gone to dressing room. This guy gets rewarded for his actions. Smooth call. Next time watch the game and give it to someone deserving. Not because he got 2 goals. Thats not a star. Just because he was someone who touched the puck last. Jusy saying. In conclusion. Clean it up NOJHL and do something about the hometown reffing . Brutal
Well said TM9003, the officiating specially the second game was out of control.
TM9003
Well said, I was there.