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After dropping a pair of games on the road, the Soo Thunderbirds are back in the drivers’ seat in their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division semifinal series with the Blind River Beavers.
A power play goal by Lucas Theriault was the difference as the Thunderbirds picked up a 3-1 victory at the John Rhodes Community Centre. In the process, the Thunderbirds took a 3-2 series lead over the Beavers.
Sunday’s win came after the Beavers evened the series with a pair of wins on home ice in games three and four.
Theriault’s game-winner came as the high-scoring forward took a feed in the right faceoff circle from Noah Boman below the goalline. Theriault proceeded to beat Beavers goaltender Jackson Hjelle high stick side to put the Thunderbirds ahead 2-1 at the time.
The Thunderbirds scored three unanswered goals in the win, including a shorthanded goal by Kaidan McDonald late in the opening period.
McDonald’s goal came after Thunderbirds defenceman Kobe Seguin was given a major penalty for slew-footing with 4:16 to go in the first period.
Ryan Lawrence sealed the win with an empty net goal in the final minute of action.
Thunderbirds goaltender Colin Ahern stopped 14 shots and didn’t face a shot in the third period.
Ryan Peck had the lone goal for the Beavers, opening the scoring in the opening minute of the contest.
Hjelle made 33 saves for Blind River.
The series shifts to Blind River for game six on Tuesday night.
Game seven, if necessary, is set for Wednesday night in Sault Ste. Marie.