T-Birds score another important win over Black Bears

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI – Thanks to a three-goal third period, the Soo Thunderbirds picked up an important two points on Wednesday night.

By way of scoring a 3-1 victory over the Northern Michigan Black Bears, the Thunderbirds moved to within a point of their cross-border rivals in the West Division standings while also holding three games in hand.

One of those games is set for Friday night when the Thunderbirds host the Manitoulin Wild.

The two clubs played to a scoreless draw through the opening 40 minutes in front of a sparse crowd at the Chi Mukwa Community Centre. The first two periods featured each team coming away with 16 shots, but little in the way of sustained offensive production.

The third period saw the offensive production kick up to a new level in the game. Derek Stabile got the Black Bears on the board as they took the lead at 1:50.

The lead was short-lived though as the Thunderbirds scored a pair of goals just 2:05 apart to take the lead. Chris Towell tied the game at 4:47 for the Thunderbirds before Aaron Assinewai beat Northern Michigan goaltender Tony Stoehr at 6:52 to give the Thunderbirds the lead, one they would not relinquish.

At 15:28, Ryan Maunu sealed the win for the Thunderbirds.

Thunderbirds coach Toots Kovacs commented following the game that his team started the game looking as though they were coming off a layoff, which was true as the team had not played a game in eight days.

"I thought our start was indicative of the fact that we haven't played a game in eight days," said Kovacs. "We only had two practices and it was indicative of the boys having the weekend off doing their thing."

Kovacs went on to say that the team's confidence level is something that is on the rise.

"It took some time to get our legs going," Kovacs continued. "When we really needed them they came through. We're starting to get a really good feeling on this team. Whether we're down a goal or two goals or three goals, it doesn't matter. They won't quit until the very end and they sure showed that tonight.

"We roll four lines and all four lines play and everybody contributes," he said. " When I get a line like Grant McGee, Zac McNally and Nick Minardi to give me some energy and then send a line like Ryan Maunu, Chris Towell and Mike McMillan out there to score goals, everybody contributes in their own way. The scorers appreciate the checkers and the checkers appreciate the scorers. That's part of the sign of a good team."

Kovacs also commented on the play of his goaltender, Mike Maulucci, who kept the game tight at times early, when the Thunderbirds were being outplayed.

"Michael Maulucci was sure himself tonight," Kovacs said. "He loves big games and he loves playing close games. He taken a penalty in both of the last two games but that's okay because that shows me that he's in the game. When he does things like that, coaches don't like it, but I can live with it because that's the way he plays. He's an intense guy."

Following a home contest with Manitoulin on Friday, the Thunderbirds prep for another game against Northern Michigan, this one in the friendly confines of the John Rhodes Centre on Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Game time on Friday night against Manitoulin is also 7:30 p.m. at the Rhodes Arena.