By Matt Stefano
After scoring their season high twelve goals in Saturday night’s 12-3 victory in Elliot Lake, the Soo Thunderbirds were back in action on Sunday evening as they made a visit to Chelmsford to take on the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
The Thunderbirds, who were looking for their second straight victory, took on a Canadians team that was riding a nine-game winning streak.
Despite outshooting the Canadians 39-36 overall, the Thunderbirds fell to the Canadians by a score of 7-3 at Chelmsford Arena.
Kitchener Rangers 2019 fourth round pick Mitchell Martin led the way offensively for the Canadians with a shorthanded goal and three assists while Barrie Colts 2019 ninth round pick Oliver Smith recorded his second career hat trick.
Two of Smith’s goals were also scored on the man advantage.
Nicholas DeGrazia extended his point streak to eleven games with a goal and an assist while Gregory Arnburg and Samuel Vachon had two assists each.
Gavin Brown and Mathieu Dokis-Dupuis had the other goals for the Canadians while Joel Mongeon and Graeme Siren had one assist each.
Thunderbirds forward Rylan Clemons scored once on the power play and set up another while Sooite Cooper Smyl also had a two-point night with a goal and an assist.
Escanaba, Michigan native Colton Hayes also got on the scoresheet for the Soo with one goal.
Thunderbirds leading scorer Jake Kovacs set up two goals while Tristan Cicchello and Mackenzie Walkington had one assist each.
Thunderbirds rookie goaltender Sam Evola gave up 7 goals on 36 shots in the loss while Sudbury Wolves 2016 thirteenth round pick David Bowen made 36 saves for the victory.
The Soo will be back on John Rhodes ice this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for their second straight meeting against the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
