Rugal OT hero as Skyhawks squeek by T-Birds

Skyhawks goalie Michael Lalande goes down to make a stop with T-Birds forward Kyle Rodgers parked in front. Photo courtesy Jim Egan.

Story by SooToday.com's Sports Director Ken Hilderley, BayToday.ca's sister site in Sault Ste. Marie


The North Bay Skyhawks took advantage of a Soo Thunderbirds penalty in overtime to notch the game winner and grab control of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
semi-final series.

On Monday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre, Austin Rugal converted a feed past Thunderbirds goaltender Michael Maulucci to lift the Skyhawks to the 2-1 win and give North Bay a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game four is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the North Bay Memorial Gardens.

The series returns to the Sault for game five on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.

Rugal's goal came at 9:34 of the extra frame with Thunderbirds forward Chris Towell in the penalty box for roughing up Skyhawks defenseman Quinn Waller with an elbow in front of the Skyhawks net.

"Obviously it was a big game for us coming in here after an emotional game last night," said Skyhawks head coach Kevin Kerr. "Our guys just battled and battled. That's what the playoffs are all about. It's exciting and it's the best time of year. It's a long series and you have to win four games and we've only won two so there is a long way to go."

North Bay's Jon Ryan, who assisted on the game winner, sent the game into overtime with a goal 6:41 into the third period.

Tyler Gendron had given the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead midway through the second period with a power play marker.

The Skyhawks did have a chance to end the contest in regulation time but Maulucci came up with a big stop on Dustin McCrank on a partial break midway through the frame and made some key saves as the Soo killed a late boarding call to Mark Thorburn, who slammed Dennis French hard into the wall.

"We've lost two in row to these guys now and it's really too bad for a guy like Mike Maulucci, who in the last two games, gave us a chance to win," said Thunderbirds head coach Toots Kovacs.

"We are back there Wednesday and we're disappointed but we aren't broken, we will get it together and give them a good game Wednesday.

"I said when the playoffs started that Michael will give us a chance to win the game and he's given us the chance the last two games and the boys haven't responded. But they will fix it and be ready to go on Wednesday."

In overtime, both teams had chances to end it early but Skyhawks goalie Mike Lalande stopped two quick rebounds 1:09 in before Maulucci was forced to make another huge
stop on a shot from McCrank.

Both teams managed 26 shots apiece in the chippy and tight checking affair.

"We know the Soo is a talented team and from top to bottom, their forwards can score," said Kerr. "Anytime you can clog up the middle and keep the puck to the outside to control the middle of the rink, you stand a good chance against a team like that.

"I've got to know Toots pretty good here over the last five or six months and I would not expect them to come back into our building laying down. Our guys will be ready to go and I know they will be ready too."

"We cannot worry about how North Bay is playing or what they are doing," said Kovacs. "We have to worry about our own guys. We have got to pick it up and being tired is one thing but these are young kids and they should have been ready to go a little quicker. We are going to take the day off (on Tuesday) and catch the bus to North Bay on Wednesday morning."

The Thunderbirds did receive a lift in overtime when Mike McMillan returned to the game after leaving the game in the second period after cutting his left leg.

McMillan went to the hospital for stitches but returned to suit up for the extra frame.

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN PULLS EVEN:

Just minutes away in the Michigan Sault, the Northern Michigan Black Bears tied their semi-final series with the Sudbury Junior Wolves at 1-1 with a 4-1 win at the Big Bear Arena in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Monday night. Game three goes Thursday in the Nickel City.