T-Birds shut down the Royals

TEMISCAMING, QUEBEC - The Sault Ste. Marie Thunderbirds kicked off their 3 game road trip in the province of Quebec and put 2 points up in the win column with an impressive 6-2 win over the Temiscaming Royals on Friday night. First period goals from Drew Otto, Zack LaRue and Tyler Evoy gave the visitors a 3-0 first period lead. Royals netminder Guillaume Piche was forced to leave the game with an arm injury and was replaced by Jim Murray with about 7 minutes to go in the first. The T-birds used their team speed and quick passing to outplay the Royals throughout the period.

In the second period, the T-Birds increased their lead on a goal by Dan Vernelli. Rylan Gull-Chum brought the home town crowd of 401 to their feet at the 16:29 mark. But only 35 seconds later, Drew Otto with his second restored the 4 goal lead. With only 30 seconds to play in the second, T-Birds Tyler Evoy was hauled down on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. He managed to deek Murray and score the last Soo goal. The Royals scored 17 seconds into the third on a Cedric Boutin goal, but it was tool little too late.

The visitors outshot the Royals 45-28.

The Royals next contest is Sunday afternoon as they entertain the Abitibi Eskimos. Game time is 2:30 at the Centre, while the T-Birds will finish their 3-game eastern road swing with a Sunday night clash with the North Bay Skyahwks. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Gardens.