T-Birds score win but settle for third place (photos added)

The Soo Thunderbirds did what they needed to do on Saturday night.

Unfortunately for the locals, the Blind River Beavers also completed their task which means the club will gain home ice advantage over the Thunderbirds in the first round of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs.

At the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Thunderbirds used two goals from Matt Dias to skate to a 3-1 win over the eastern division champion North Bay Skyhawks to conclude the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Beavers scored a 5-1 home ice win over the western division champion Northern Michigan Black Bears.

Drew Jarrett also scored for the Thunderbirds, who played with only 14 skaters in the win, while Ryan Maunu assisted on all three goals and Kyle Jones set up a pair. Michael Maulucci stopped 27 of 28 shots in goal for the win.

David Cappadocia replied with the lone Skyhawks goal.

Both the Beavers and Thunderbirds finished with 57 points in the western division standings but Blind River is awarded second place behind Northern Michigan due to having one more win than the Soo.

*** FINAL NOJHL STANDINGS:

(wins-losses-ties-overtime losses-points)

EASTERN DIVISION:

North Bay 31-11-3-3-68 Abitibi 30-13-4-1-65 Rayside Balfour 14-31-3-0-31 Sudbury 12-33-1-2-27

WESTERN DIVISION:

Northern Michigan 28-13-4-3-63 Blind River 27-18-2-1-57 Soo Thunderbirds 26-17-2-3-57 Manitoulin 14-30-1-3-32

*** NOJHL SCORING LEADERS:

(goals-assists-points)

1. Thomas Laplante (BR) 39-41-80 2. Ryan Maunu (Soo) 22-54-76 3. Matt Caria (Soo) 31-39-70 4. Matt Dias (Soo) 35-28-63 5. Tyler Perry (NB) 23-40-63 6. Jessy Lebel (AB) 24-36-60 7. Brian McGarry (SBY) 20-38-58 8. Josh Merson (NB) 18-39-57 9. Adam Chircoski (AB) 30-24-54 10. Darren Rainville (BR) 25-28-53

*** NOJHL GOALTENDING LEADERS:

1. Mike Lalande (NB) 2.17 Goals-Against-Average 2. Chris Keller (AB) 2.18 3. Tony Stoehr (NM) 2.48 4. Chris Abbey (NB) 2.72 5. Kevin King (BR) 2.90 6. Paul Pidutti (SBY) 2.93 7. Steve Hamel (AB) 3.13 8. Michael Maulucci (Soo) 3.30 9. Michael Bell (NM) 3.57 10. Cedric Bradette (RB) 3.86

***

(All photos courtesy of Jim Egan.)