By Matt Stefano
After defeating the Soo Eagles 5-2 on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre and moving into sole possession of first place in the NOJHL standings, the Soo Thunderbirds were looking to extend their winning streak to two games on Sunday night as they were in Chelmsford to take on the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
Heading into Sunday night’s contest, the Thunderbirds were missing Gage Stephney, Noah Boman, Tyler Malpass and Nick Smith all due to injuries, along with Tristan Cicchello, Brendan Miller, Kaidan McDonald and Matthew Bazarin all due to suspensions.
Despite their depleted lineup, the Thunderbirds still managed to pick up a point on Sunday night in Chelmsford, as they fell 1-0 in a shootout to the Rayside Balfour Canadians at Chelmsford Arena.
Canadians forward Giordano Biondi had the lone goal in the shootout to give his club the win.
Avery Rebek, Lucas Theriault and Nolan Ford were the three shooters for the Thunderbirds during the shootout, but all three did not score.
Thunderbirds goaltender William Anderson made forty four stops in the loss while Canadians netminder Sebastien Plamondon made twenty six saves for the victory.
The Thunderbirds, who remain the top team in the NOJHL standings with 47 points, will have their final homestand before the Christmas Break and the New Year, beginning this Friday at 7:00 p.m. against the French River Rapids, followed by their final home game of 2018 on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. against the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
Both home games will take place at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
ALUMNI NEWS
Former Soo Thunderbird and current Soo Greyhounds defenceman Robert Calisti got an early Christmas gift on Sunday afternoon, as he notched his first Ontario Hockey League goal against the Barrie Colts at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
Calisti, who is in his first full season with the Hounds, has 1 goal and 2 assists in 30 games played.
