SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Soo Thunderbirds rode the shutout goaltending of Connor Ryckman for a third consecutive game as he stopped all 20 shots he faced to blank the Soo Eagles 2-0 in Game 4 of their West Division semifinal Friday evening at Pullar Stadium.
The win allowed the Thunderbirds to sweep the four-game set 4-0 as they now advance to the West Division final against the Elliot Lake Wildcats.
Ryckman has not allowed a goal against in his past 191 minutes and 48 seconds of game action.
The Thunderbirds registered the only marker they would require late in the first period as Drake Pilon notched the eventual game-winner 17:38 into the session while his club was shorthanded.
Pilon then helped set-up Joey Miller midway through the contest, in what was the final tally of the night.
Caleb Boman also chipped in offensively for the T-Birds with a pair of helpers.
Jack Deines turned in another solid performance in net for the Eagles despite the setback finishing with 36 saves along the way in the season-ending defeat.
