Skyhawks drop game one

The Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds scored four unanswered goals in the third period against the North Bay Skyhawks to break a 3-3 tie and take game one of the best-of-seven NOJHL semifinal 7-3 Friday night at the John Rhodes arena in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Skyhawks got off to a good start in this one, leading 2-1 after one period of play on goals by Dustin McCrank and Austin Rugal.

The Thunderbirds responded late in the first period with Chris Towell's first on the night late in the first period on the powerplay.

Mike McMillan and former Skyhawk Arron Assinewei scored in the middle frame to make it 3-2 before Frank Desbeins scored halfway through the period to even the score at 3-3.

In the third the T-Birds pulled away with four straight goals on 11 shots. Chris Towell fired home a pair to give him the hat-trick and Adam Kauppi scored 20 seconds after Towell turned the trick to give them a 6-3 lead 14 minutes into the third. Grant McGee scored an empty netter to finish off the scoring.

After being named first star in the Skyhawks clinching game over Abitibi, Dominic Leveille allowed six goals on 27 shots.

The Skyhawks will look to bounce back on Sunday when they return to Memorial Gardens for game two of the series.

Fore More details look for SooToday.ca Sports Director Ken Hilderly's game report Saturday morning...