By Matt Stefano
After having their home game against Espanola postponed due to inclement weather last Saturday (January 18th), the Soo Thunderbirds were back on the ice for the first time in a week as they took on the Soo Eagles on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The Thunderbirds, who defeated the Eagles by a score of 1-0 in overtime last Friday in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, were also up against the Eagles for the second straight game.
Saturday night’s game at the John Rhodes was a much different one than last Friday night’s game in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan though, as a total of twelve goals were scored.
The Thunderbirds defeated the Eagles by a score of 7-5 at the John Rhodes Community Centre on Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
For the second straight game, Thunderbirds rookie forward Tyler Savard led the way offensively.
After scoring the overtime winner in last Friday’s 1-0 win in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Savard scored twice on Saturday night at the John Rhodes, including once on the power play along with adding an assist for a three point night.
Savard’s power play goal at the 9:53 mark of the third period, made the score 6-3 for the Thunderbirds at that point, which turned out to be his second consecutive game winning goal.
Thunderbirds forward Mackenzie Walkington also had a multi point game, scoring an empty net goal and adding an assist while Rylan Clemons and captain Nolan Ford chipped in with two assists each.
Jake Kovacs (power play), Jordan Broome, Cooper Smyl and Avery Rebek had the other goals for the Thunderbirds while Colton Hayes, Dylan Parsons, Will Josephson and Sam Evola all set up a goal each.
Caleb Wood and Bobby Price had a goal and an assist each for the Eagles while Eric Vanderhoff (power play), Malik Ali and Jacob Bumbacco all had one goal each.
Richard Boulware, Praveen Dhaliwal, Brice French, Dominic Skrelja, Ryan Dacks and Nolan Dresch all had an assist each for the Eagles.
Eagles goaltender Shane Brancato gave up 7 goals on 35 shots in the loss while Thunderbirds netminder Sam Evola made 31 saves for the victory.
The Thunderbirds will now be back in action on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. for their makeup game against the Espanola Express at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
(Photo of Tyler Savard credit to Bob Davies)
