After defeating the Hearst Lumberjacks 4-3 on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre and extending their winning streak to two games, the Soo Thunderbirds were back in action on Sunday afternoon as they took on the top team in the NOJHL, the Timmins Rock.
Sunday afternoon’s game was also the Thunderbirds Pink In The Rink game to help support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It was another close game on Sunday afternoon at the John Rhodes Community Centre as the Thunderbirds closed out their two-game homestand with a 3-2 win over the Timmins Rock.
“Timmins is a pretty good team,” said Thunderbirds rookie defenceman Kobe Seguin. “They just won three straight and we finally got to end that streak. It was definitely a close game, but the boys came out and battled through and we came out with one goal more then them.”
Seguin scored his first NOJHL goal on the power play at the 10:42 mark of the first period to put the Thunderbirds up 2-0.
“It’s pretty exciting when you score your first goal and hopefully I can get a few more as the year goes on,” continued Seguin. “It was a pretty exciting moment for myself and I was happy get a goal for us this afternoon.”
Seguin, who is in his first season with the Thunderbirds, spent last season with the North Bay Trappers Midget AAA club, where he had 25 points in 32 regular season games.
“It’s definitely a jump,” continued Seguin. “The speed in this league is different because you have a bunch of older guys and bigger guys. But I’m happy with the team we have because we have a really great group and I think we’re going to do great things this year.”
Seguin, who is 17 years old, was also drafted by the Soo Greyhounds in the 11th round (218th overall) in the 2017 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection.
“It’s pretty great,” continued Seguin. “I’ve been practicing with the Hounds lately now too and it’s nice to be jumping up and down. I’m in a great spot being with the Thunderbirds and they can keep a close eye on me.”
Forward Lucas Theriault led the way offensively for the Thunderbirds on Sunday afternoon, scoring a pair of goals.
Theriault, who scored his twelfth and thirteenth goals of the season, passed his goal totals from last season, where he had eleven.
“Lucas is one of the greatest players on the team,” concluded Seguin. “He works hard and he’s always ready to go and he’s just a great team player.”
Noah Boman, Steven Bellini and Tyler Malpass all had one assist each for the Thunderbirds.
NOJHL’s leading goal scorer Derek Seguin had a power play goal for the Rock while Josh Dickson scored the other goal.
Damon Bollinger, Josh Kego and Ian Elkins all had one assist each for the Rock.
Nicholas Dicks gave up three goals on thirty one shots in the loss while Thunderbirds rookie goaltender Colin Ahern made twenty eight saves for the victory.
The Thunderbirds will now get set for a three-game road trip, beginning this Friday at 7:00 p.m., when they visit Hearst to take on the Lumberjacks.
(Photo credit to Rod Aubertin/www.ssmphotos.com)
