By Matt Stefano
After defeating the Blind River Beavers 2-1 Friday night and clinching first spot in the NOJHL’s West Division, the Soo Thunderbirds played their final road game for the month of February on Sunday night as they visited Chelmsford Arena to take on the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
T-Birds top goal scorer Zach Senecal also suited up for his 100th career game.
For the second straight game, all the goals by both teams came in the opening period as the T-Birds defeated the Canadians 3-1.
Overage forward Ryan Waterhouse had a goal and an assist for the T-Birds while Kaidan McDonald, who hasn’t registered a point in his last seven games, set up two goals.
Austin Kozluk and Keenan Eddy had the other goals for the Soo while Zach Senecal and Matt Caruso chipped in with an assist each.
Caruso, who had one assist during the game, gave himself his 60th point of the season, which made him the first T-Bird to have back to back 60 point seasons since Nick Minardi did in 2008 and 2009.
Chad Denault had the only goal for the Canadians while Tristan Simm chipped in with the only assist.
Canadians goaltender Cameron Lamour gave up 3 goals on 43 shots in the loss.
T-Birds goaltender Dougie Newhouse made 28 stops for the win.
With the victory, the T-Birds have now extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games and will be back on home ice Wednesday, February 22nd at 7:00 p.m. against the Espanola Express at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
We would also like to remind everyone that Wednesday night will be the final home game to purchase T-Bird Pasta Dinner tickets.
The dinner will take place on Thursday, February 23rd from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at The Tech and each ticket purchased will include a free ticket to any upcoming Soo Thunderbirds home game.
TICKETS
$20 per person
Children 12 and under are $10
Children 5 and under are free
Cash bar
Tickets can also be purchased at The Tech located on 130 Wellington Street East or by emailing Jordan Smith at thetechtbirds@gmail.com or Toots Kovacs at thetechtbirds2@gmail.com.
(Photo of Kaidan McDonald credit to Jim Egan)
