Thunderbirds hold on to beat Trappers
Submitted By Brad Coccimiglio on Thursday, January 26, 2012
A strong first period helped the Soo Thunderbirds to a 5-4 victory over the North Bay Trappers on Wednesday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.
The Thunderbirds built a 4-1 lead over the Trappers through 20 minutes and held off a third period charge by the Trappers that saw them pull to within a goal, only to come up short.
“The one thing we’ve been talking about is working hard for 60 minutes,” said Thunderbirds coach Preston Mizzi. “I don’t think it was a lack of work ethic that allowed North Bay to score a few goals.”
Matt Amadio led the way for the Thunderbirds offensively with a pair of goals and an assist in the win. Kurtis Barbarie and Greg Sartoretto added a goal and an assist each while Micky Sartoretto set up a pair of goals for the Thunderbirds. Kevin Michelcavage also scored for the locals in the win.
Remo Febbraro got the start in place of John Kleinhans, who sat out the game with strep throat. Febbraro proceeded to stop 33 shots in the win.
“Remo played well for the most part,” said Mizzi. “There was one goal he should have had but he hasn’t played a game in a long time. You can try to simulate it as a goalie in practice but ultimately everything is amped up in a game. Overall I was very happy with the way he played, especially in the first period where he made some big saves to get himself into the game.”
Kleinhans is expected to skate with the team on Thursday and a decision will be made prior to a home-and-home set with the Soo (MI.) Eagles this weekend.
Mizzi also expects defenceman Fraser Turner to be back in the lineup this weekend after sitting out Wednesday night. Defencemen Dylan Connolly and Jeremy Solomon along with forward Jake Wright are not expected to be back in the lineup short term.
Brad Gehl, Brandon Janke and Djordje Leposavic had a goal and an assist each for North Bat in the loss while Scott Pawson also scored. Mitchell Knight stopped 21 shots for the Trappers.
“It took a little while to get our energy and our focus back to where it’s supposed to be,” said Trappers coach Tom McCarthy. “We weren’t putting pucks at the net and obviously in the third period, that made the difference in any success.”
The Thunderbirds now shift gears to a home-and-home set with the Eagles that kicks off on Friday night at Pullar Stadium in the Michigan Sault. Saturday night the teams return to the Ontario side and face off at the Essar Centre. Puck drop for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.
