By Matt Stefano
Wednesday night’s game was a night to remember for Cole Delarosbil!
After setting a career-high for most points in a single season with 10, thanks to his one-assist performance back on Sunday afternoon in Noelville, Cole Delarosbil ended up finding of the back of the net three times for the Soo Thunderbirds on Wednesday night in the Soo, helping his hometown club to a 6-2 victory over the Blind River Beavers at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Delarosbil, who had three goals for the Soo Thunderbirds on Wednesday night, also gave himself his first career hat trick.
“It felt really good to get a hat trick tonight and I had some family here as well,” said Soo Thunderbirds forward Cole Delarosbil, who helped his team get their 9th straight win on Wednesday night. “I still remember when I scored my first NOJHL goal against Blind River during my rookie season (2019-2020) with the Espanola Express. We (Thunderbirds) have been playing well lately, so it was nice to contribute again to get another win.”
Delarosbil notched his first goal of the game and 4th goal of the season at the 12:42 mark of the first period, which gave the Thunderbirds a 2-1 lead heading into the second period.
With the Thunderbirds up 4-2 after forty minutes of play, the 20-year-old forward then scored two more times in the third period, making the score 6-2 for the Soo.
Delarosbil’s third goal of the game was a shorthanded tally at the 18:19 mark of the third.
“It was great to see Dell (Delarosbil) get three goals tonight,” said Soo Thunderbirds head coach Cole Jarrett. “He has played great over this last stretch and it was nice to see him get rewarded.”
Delarosbil, who scored his 4th, 5th and 6th goals of the season on Wednesday night, also tied his career-high for most goals scored in a single season.
The Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native had 6 goals as a member of the Espanola Express back in 2019-2020.
“Living at home this season and playing with the Thunderbirds has really helped me develop my game,” Delarosbil said. “I’m playing here with some great friends and some great teammates and we’re having a great season, so as long as that keeps going we will hopefully shoot for a league title.”
On Wednesday night, the Thunderbirds also saw a great performance from their second-year blueliner Kaden Dundas, who led the way offensively with four assists.
Dundas, who set up four goals on Wednesday night, also became the first Thunderbird defenceman to record four assists in a game since Warner Young did back on February 8, 2020.
“It felt really great to get the four assists tonight, but I couldn’t have done it without my teammates,” Dundas said. “We moved the puck around well tonight and got open for each other and that made my job easy.”
On Wednesday night, the Thunderbirds also got multi-point performances from two other players, including Kelsey Ouellet and Michael Chaffay.
Ouellet scored once and set up another for a two-point night while Chaffay also had a two-point night of his own, setting up a pair of goals.
Cooper Foster (game-winner) and Brock Santa Maria had the other goals for the Thunderbirds while Russell Oldham and Colby Arbour set up a goal each.
The goals by Foster and Santa Maria also came just 42 seconds apart during the second period, which turned a 2-2 tie into a 4-2 Thunderbirds lead.
Meguire Naughton (power play) and James Ingram had the goals for the Beavers while Jesse Dupuis, Kyle Caron, Ryan Doucette and Nolan Connolly all recorded one assist each.
Beavers goaltender Jeremi Delaquis gave up 6 goals on 44 shots in the loss while Thunderbirds netminder Noah Zeppa made 20 saves for the victory.
The Thunderbirds, who entered Wednesday night’s game on an 8-game winning streak, picked up their 9th straight victory while also snapping Blind River’s 8-game unbeaten in regulation streak.
“During practice, we really worked on getting pressure in the O-zone,” Dundas said. “We’ve been working on plays of possessing the puck and really protecting it and I think that transitioned to our game tonight.”
The Thunderbirds will now be back in action for their second straight home game on Friday night at 7:00 p.m., when they take on the last place Cochrane Crunch at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
Friday night’s game will also be the first time the Thunderbirds will hit the ice at the GFL Memorial Gardens in almost three years.
“We’re really excited to play at the GFL this Friday and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd,” Dundas said. “The focus is no different no matter where the team is in the standings. We’re going to come out with our best team effort like we do every single night and we want to try to win this league.”
(Photo credit to Bob Davies)
