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The Soo Thunderbirds are firmly entrenched in the drivers’ seat as the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division final returns to Sault Ste. Marie.
The Thunderbirds skated to a 3-1 win over the Rayside-Balfour Canadians on Thursday night at Chelmsford Arena. In the process, the Thunderbirds took a 3-1 series lead over the Canadians as the series shifts to Sault Ste. Marie for game five on Saturday night.
The Thunderbirds broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of goals in the second period en route to the victory.
Camden Findlay made it 2-1 Thunderbirds just over two minutes into the second period when he took a turnover by Rayside defenceman Joel Mongeon near the Canadians blueline, split the Rayside defencemen and beat goaltender David Bowen stick side.
Spencer Van Tiem capped off the scoring midway through the second period when he went to the net on a two-on-one with Avery Rebek and scored on a rebound.
Brendan Miller had the other goal for the Thunderbirds as the veteran forward opened the scoring just over five minutes into the contest.
Sault goaltender Colin Ahern made 34 saves.
Bowen finished the night with 38 saves while Kyle Liinamaa had the lone goal for the Canadians.
As the Thunderbirds and Canadians prepare for game five at the GFL Memorial Gardens on Saturday night, the Hearst Lumberjacks await the conclusion of the West Division final.
The Lumberjacks secured a spot in the NOJHL final on Thursday thanks to a 3-1 win over the Powassan Voodoos in Powassan.
Max Griffoen and Alec Johnson had a goal and an assist each for Hearst.
The Lumberjacks advance thanks to a four-game sweep.