Thunderbirds lose second straight game

By Matt Stefano

After kicking off their two game homestand with a 3-2 loss to the Rayside Balfour Canadians on Saturday night, the Soo Thunderbirds were back in action less than twenty four hours later as they took on the defending NOJHL champions, the Cochrane Crunch on Sunday afternoon (5:00 p.m.) at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

The Thunderbirds concluded their two game homestand with a loss on Sunday afternoon as they dropped a 6-4 decision to the Canadians.

The Thunderbirds who led the Crunch 4-2 after the second period, gave up four goals in the third, including an empty netter.

“We just got off our game a little bit,” said Thunderbirds forward Nolan Ford, who had one goal and one assist. “We let off the gas and had a couple little mistakes in the third.”

Ford, who began last season as a defenceman with the Thunderbirds, also played many games as a forward with the club.

Prior to this season, Ford changed his position from defence to forward.

“It’s been pretty good,” said Nolan. “It was tough at first, but I’m really getting the hang of it and it’s a lot of fun.”

Tanner Mayne and Steven Bellini had a power play goal each for the Thunderbirds while Avery Rebek also got on the scoresheet with one goal.

Jonathan Mackin, Nate Medaglia, Noah Boman, Nick Smith, Brendan Miller and Matthew Bazarin all had one assist each for the Thunderbirds.

Zach Hayes led the way offensively for the Crunch with an empty net goal and three helpers while Nick Flanders scored twice, including once on the power play along with adding an assist.

Ethan Emanuel (power play), Austin Whelan and Hunter Buzzi had the other goals for the Crunch.

Crunch defenceman Shaun Simpson also got on the scoresheet with a pair of assists.

Zach Wickson made 27 saves for Cochrane’s win while Thunderbirds goaltender William Anderson gave up 5 goals on 37 shots in the loss.

The Thunderbirds will now get set to take on the Rayside Balfour Canadians on Thursday, October 25th at 7:00 p.m. in Sudbury.

“We have some time off right now and we’ll refresh,” concluded Ford. “We’ll get back to practicing and get back to our game and we’ll be ready to go.”

(Photo credit to Rod Aubertin/www.ssmphotos.com)

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