Thunderbirds rally to edge Wilderness in Dudley-Hewitt opener

Press Release

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – A Brett Campbell goal 2:21 into overtime propelled the Soo Thunderbirds to a 4-3 come from behind victory over the Wisconsin Wilderness in opening day action at the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canadian Junior A Hockey Championship in Thunder Bay.

Following a scoreless first period, Wisconsin’s Mike Dietrich opened the scoring, snapping a shot from the right side that he tucked under the cross bar on Soo netminder John Kleinhans at 15:05 of the middle session.

The Superior International Junior Hockey League champion Wilderness extended their lead to two 42 seconds later as Shane Topf slammed one past Kleinhans from the top of the slot.

An all-important power play effort by the Thunderbirds late in the stanza gave the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League champs some life heading to the final frame.

That marker came off the stick of James Delayer who one-timed a Greg Sartoretto cross-ice pass whipping a low shot along the ice through the legs of Wilderness starter Tanner Milliron.

Delayer then tied it during a two-man advantage 6:17 into the third and his low point slipped past the outstretched pad of Milliron to knot the score at 2-2.

Wisconsin regained the lead midway through the period as Wilson Housley, son of former NHL standout defenceman Phil Housley, was sent in alone on Kleinhans and made no mistake ripping a shot into the top right hand corner.

The resilient Thunderbirds would force OT late in regulation as Jake Wright stuffed home a rebound from the left side of the crease with 1:33 remaining.

Campbell then struck early in extra time as he was left alone in front and buried the game-winner from in close to complete the Soo rally.

Shots on goal favoured Wisconsin by a 33-32 margin with Delayer earning RBK player of the game laurels for the T-Birds while Wilderness captain Andrew Anderson was recognized for his club.

Game 2 of the days goes at 7:30 p.m. as the host Thunder Bay North Stars take on the Stouffville Spirit of the Ontario Jr. Hockey League at the Fort William Gardens.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)