A couple of first period goals, along with the stalwart goaltending of Nathan Maguire, led the Soo Thunderbirds to a 3-1 win over the Timmins Rock in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Friday, September 26th at John Rhodes Community Centre.

Skating in their home opener, Sault Ste. Marie began the scoring while shorthanded just over 13 minutes into the contest when Aiden Atkinson raced in alone on a breakaway and calmly lifted his chance high over the glove of Timmins’ goaltender Frédéric Cousineau.

The Thunderbirds then tacked on another at 14:13 as James Legler, got enough of a shot from the right side that found its way in with teammate Creegan Tompkins battling in front.

Action the second stanza saw the Rock bring plenty of pace, but the efforts of Maguire kept the session scoreless.

Heading to the final frame, the T-Birds extended their edge with 6:24 to go when a Jaxon Turnbull drop pass to the point allowed Max DeCoff to whip a shot through traffic and in.

Timmins would eventually break the shutout bid of the Soo’s Maguire during a last-minute power play that saw Brant Romaniuk connect with a wrist shot from between the circles as Cousineau was also out for an extra attacker.

That proved to be the evening’s final offensive effort though as the Thunderbirds earned the home triumph.

Both teams return the ice Saturday as the T-Birds host the Greater Sudbury Cubs while the Rock visit the Soo Eagles in a pair of 7 p.m. starts.