By Matt Stefano
For the first time since 2013, the lock city saw Great North Midget League playoffs again as the Soo Thunderbirds AAA Midgets hit Essar Centre ice this afternoon for game one of semi finals action vs the North Bay Trappers. It was a contest where special teams clicked for the Soo as well.
Mickey George got the Trappers on the board first at 13:30 from Jacob Delisle and Devyn Martel until Lucas Millar tied things at one just twenty eight seconds later from Zach Senecal and Jason Bednarski. A short handed goal by Ryan Mulligan with under four minutes to go from Brad Thrower and Jonathan Dyer put the Soo ahead 2-1 after one.
With the Soo on a two man advantage, Matt MacKay’s power play goal from Brendan Gillis and Jonathan Dyer at 18:41 put the T-Birds ahead 3-1 after two.
Jacob Delisle cut the Soo’s lead to 3-2 at 5:46 from Jeff Jordan and Charlie Iserhoff, until Matt MacKay’s second goal on the power play from Jared Fanti and Jakob Porco at 13:35 added some insurance, as the T-Birds won their first ever GNML playoff game with a 4-2 game one win over North Bay in the best of five semi finals series.
Joey Roberts recorded the victory in goal for the Soo.
Game two goes tomorrow at 2:30 from the Essar Centre.
