The Soo Thunderbirds scored three unanswered goals to pick up a series sweep over the Blind River Beavers in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action on Monday night.
The win extends the Thunderbirds winning streak to 21 games in the process as the team picked up a 4-1 win at the Blind River Community Centre.
After the teams traded goals in the opening period, Dharan Cap gave the Thunderbirds a 2-1 lead 80 seconds into the second period.
Parked in the slot, Cap redirected a pass from Youssef Chaouachi past Beavers netminder Jeremi Delaquis to give the Thunderbirds the lead for good in the contest.
Russell Oldham made it 3-1 Thunderbirds when he got the puck in the slot moments after Delaquis turned it over behind the Blind River goal and scored into an open Beavers net a 12:02, also on the power play.
Kenny Belanger Jr. then made it 4-1 49 seconds later when he was stopped on a redirection of a shot by Ethan Novello before scoring on the rebound to cap off the scoring in the game.
Michael Chaffay opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds just under four minutes into the opening period when he beat Delaquis with a shot from the right faceoff circle.
Evan Fraccaro had the lone goal for the Beavers in the game, beating Thunderbirds goaltender Noah Metiveier from the left circle after a shot by Caleb Minns was stopped.
The goal ended a shutout streak of 282:26 for Metivier, who made 20 saves in Monday’s win.
Delaquis, who was making his first start of the series for the Beavers, stopped 40 shots.
The Thunderbirds now advance to the NOJHL West Division final where they will face the winner of the other West Division semi, which is between the Soo (Mich.) Eagles and Greater Sudbury Cubs.
After the Cubs picked up a 4-2 win on Monday, the Eagles hold a 2-1 series lead heading into game four on Tuesday night. Game five in the series is scheduled for Wednesday.