T-Birds stumble in loss to Skyhawks (5 photos)

After a fine performance in their season opener on Friday night, the Soo Thunderbirds saw their game head the opposite direction Saturday.

Struggling with discipline and penalties, the Thunderbirds surrendered three power play goals and another short handed in a 7-4 loss to the North Bay Skyhawks in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

"We got too comfortable," said Thunderbirds head coach Pat Carricato. "We had a good first period but then I have to take the blame after that. I should have had them prepared to come back out and I saw that they were too comfortable. In the the second period, they came at us hard, outworked us and it caused us to take penalties.

"We learned a lesson from this one and it won't happen again. We're not that good of calibre that we can just show up and win hockey games. We have to work."

Kyle Johnson knocked in a rebound after Adam Kauppi was stopped on a breakaway and Brett Perlini scored another when he collected a turnover at the Skyhawks blue line and elected to shoot on a two-on-one break for a 2-1 Thunderbirds lead in the first period.

North Bay rebounded in the second period and scored three straight goals to grab a 4-2 lead.

But the Thunderbirds responded with a pair of power play goals from Matt Conway, on a point shot through traffic, and Adam Kauppi, who pounced on a rebound, to tie the game at 4-4.

Three third period goals, including two with the man advantage, salted away a win for the Skyhawks.

Bryan Albert scored two goals for the winners, who outshot the Thunderbirds 37-35, while singles went to Adam Hull, Scott Faulkner, Josh Diamond, Justin Piquette and Joe Trotter.

Kauppi added a pair of assists for the Thunderbirds and Conway one. Travis O'Brien took the loss in goal.

The Thunderbirds are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Blind River to face the Beavers in a 7:30 p.m. start at the Memorial Community Centre. Next home action is Friday against the Sudbury Junior Wolves at 7:30 p.m. at the Rhodes.

*** SOO INDIANS:

Sault Ontario product Dan Vernell's goal helped pace the Michigan Soo Indians to a 5-2 win over the Abitbi Eskimos at the Big Bear Arena.

Derek Thocker, James Ciotti, Isaac Viau and Darren Mansfield also scored for the Indians while Nick Novak recorded three assists and Chris Cooper two.

Cody Fox replied with both Abitibi goals. Indians goaltender Elliot Hogue stopped 36 of 38 shots for the win.

(Photos courtesy of Jim Egan)