SAULT STE. MARIE - The Abitibi Eskimos suffered one of their worst defeats in recent memory Friday night as they were pummeled 9-0 by the Soo Thunderbirds.
Darcy Haines scored three goals and added three assists to lead the Thunderbirds to their 21st-straight victory, while captain Gavin Burbach chipped in with three goals and an assist.
Haines had both goals as the host Thunderbirds jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead.
Burbach had a pair of goals and Joey Miller added a third as the Thunderbirds extended their advantage to 5-0 during the second period of play.
Both Haines and Burbach completed their hat-tricks and the Thunderbirds also got goals from Anthony Miller and Matthew Mitchell as they completed their thrashing of the Eskimos during the third period.
Thunderbirds goalie Brian Kment was called upon to stop just 19 shots as he registered his second shutout of the season.
Eskimos goalie Brody Wagner played the entire game and made 34 saves, while suffering the loss.
Both the Eskimos and the Thunderbirds went 0-3 on the power play, but the Thunderbirds did get a short-handed goal from Burbach.
The Eskimos will continue their three-game road trip in Blind River Saturday night before completing it in Espanola on Sunday afternoon.
