By Matt Stefano
After extending their perfect home record to twenty three straight wins on a Family Day home game against the Soo Eagles at the Pullar Stadium, the Soo Thunderbirds began the first of three straight road games on Wednesday night in Blind River.
The T-Birds would get two goals in the first period just fifty eight seconds apart, as Matt Caruso notched his twenty fourth at 9:29 from Nathan Hebert and Jaren Bellini to make it 1-0 for the Soo, before Ryan Mulligan’s fifth from Drake Pilon and Adam McPhail at 10:27 made it a 2-0 game after one.
At 11:18 into the second, it would be T-Birds defenceman and Windsor Spitfires prospect Matt Busby extending his point streak to eight games with his twelfth goal of the season on the power play from Jaren Bellini and Brett Jeffries to put the Soo up by three. Overage forward Izaak Del Mastro’s seventh goal of the season from Zach Senecal and Mark Tassone at 17:29 gave the T-Birds a 4-0 lead after two.
Just twenty seven seconds into the third, it would be overage forward Matt Pinder getting his nineteenth goal of the season on the power play which tied his career totals for goals one season ago with assists going to Drake Pilon and Matt Caruso. Brandon Gordon made nineteen saves for his second shutout of the season as the T-Birds went on to blank the Blind River Beavers 5-0 at the Blind River Community Centre.
Beavers goalie Matt Blattenberger gave up five goals on fifty shots.
The T-Birds continue their road swing on Saturday, February 20th at 7pm in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan against the Soo Eagles from the Pullar Stadium.
NOTE:
On Monday, March 14th, the Soo Thunderbirds will be having their 2016 awards dinner and fundraiser event at the Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre. Tickets cost $40.00 per person and can be purchased at Savings World on 25 Trunk Road.
Dinner will be served at 6pm!
LIST OF LAST YEAR’S AWARD WINNERS:
Scholastic Player Of The Year – Shared by goaltender Brian Kment & defenceman Brandon Grandinetti
Most Sportsmanlike Player Of The Year – Shared by forwards Nick Tassone & Jaren Bellini
Players’ Player – Defenceman Connor Dea
Rookie Of The Year – Goaltender Mario Culina
Hardest Working Player Of The Year – Shared by forwards Brett Jeffries & Eric Hillock
Team’s Top Scorer – Forward Nick Tassone
Best Defenceman – Defenceman David Radke
Most Valuable Player – Forward Anthony Miller
(Photo credit to James Egan’s Sports Photography)
