Thunderbirds roll past Eskimos

The Soo Thunderbirds jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back in a 6-3 win over the Abitibi Eskimos on Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

On Saturday night, the Thunderbirds continue their homestand by making their first appearance at the Steelback Centre. The North Bay Skyhawks visit for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Andy McMillan opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds just 45 seconds into the game. By the end of the first period, Kyle Rogers and Nick Minardi added goals for a 3-0 lead.

Rob Johnson scored the game winner for a 4-0 lead early in the second period while Brett Perlini and Minardi added goals in the final frame.

Matt Brunet, Dan Dube and Brent Wesley replied with goals for the Eskimos.

Ryan Dube stopped 36 of 39 shots in goal for the Thunderbirds while the Soo fired just 23 shots on Abitibi.

*** GAME SUMMARY:

First Period

1. SOO: Andy McMillan (Kyle Rodgers, ) 00:45 FG 2. SOO: Kyle Rodgers (Tyler Lannigan, ) 16:11 3. SOO: Nick Minardi (Kyle Johnson, Dylan King) 16:51 PP

Penalties: Tyler Lannigan SOO (INT) 2 min 09:31; Pat Borromeo AB (HOST) 2 min 11:43; Ben Davey SOO (RAW) 2 min 14:28; Jeremie Dorval AB (HOST) 2 min 15:49; Ben Davey SOO (RO) 2 min 17:36;

Second Period

4. SOO: Rob Johnson (Randy Wills, Dan Klever) 03:22 GW 5. AB: Matt Brunet (Patrick Parisi, ) 12:00 SH 6. AB: Dan Dube (Cody Fox, Michel Champagne) 15:05 PP

Penalties: Tyler Derrick AB (HKG) 2 min 06:18; David Proulx AB (TR) 2 min 09:54; Brent Wesley AB (TR) 2 min 11:30; Matt Brunet AB (HKG) 2 min 12:09; Ryan Dube SOO (DG) 2 min 14:38; Dylan King SOO (INT) 2 min 14:38; Dan Klever SOO (HO) 2 min 18:36;

Third Period

7. SOO: Brett Perlini (Kyle Rodgers, ) 02:36 PP 8. SOO: Nick Minardi (Dylan King, Shawn Bibeau) 10:37 SH 9. AB: Brent Wesley (Tyler Scott, Pat Borromeo) 12:46

Penalties: Felix Boutin AB (DG) 2 min 02:27; Brett Perlini SOO (HS) 2 min 03:12; Tyler Lannigan SOO (ELB) 2 min 03:57; David Proulx AB (INT) 2 min 07:12; Jake Reid SOO (SL) 2 min 09:30; Patrick Parisi AB (INT) 2 min 15:07; Randy Wills SOO (USC) 2 min 15:07; Brad Dicandia SOO (INT) 2 min 15:31; Tyler Lannigan SOO (SL) 2 min 17:41;

***