A home-and-home series with a division rival opened on a sour note for the Soo Thunderbirds on Friday night.
The Thunderbirds gave up three goals in the second period in a 4-1 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League loss to the Blind River Beavers at the Blind River Community Centre.
The Beavers capitalized on the man advantage three times in the middle period en route to the win.
Caleb Serre had two goals and two assists while Justin Mauro assisted on all four goals for the Beavers.
Lucas Adams had the other two goals for Blind River.
Beavers goaltender Wyatt Courchaine stopped 30 shots.
Stephen Pszeniczny had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds while goaltender Colin Ahern made 28 saves.
The loss drops the Thunderbirds record to 2-1-0-0 on the young season while Blind River remains unbeaten at 3-0-0-0.
The two teams wrap up the home-and-home set between the two clubs on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.