By Matt Stefano
The last time the Soo Thunderbirds recorded 56 shots on net, was back on December 1st, 2016, when they blanked the Espanola Express 2-0 at the Essar Centre. But on Wednesday night, the T-Birds tied their season high for most shots on net in a single game in a 5-1 win over the Espanola Express at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
“It was fun,” said T-Birds forward Austin Kozluk. “The guys were just trying to do the right things and stay on track. Just getting shots on net is what we did to get the win.”
Kozluk also spoke of how well Express goaltender Logan Sawka performed.
“He’s a good goalie,” continued the overage forward. “He stops a lot of pucks. Even when we have open nets he somehow just gets there. But we got them in tonight and usually do when we play these guys and it was a fun night.”
Kozluk, who had one goal and two assists Wednesday night against Espanola, also extended his point scoring streak to seven games and his goal scoring streak to five games.
“It feels pretty good,” said the Mono, Ontario native. “The guys are doing well moving the puck and doing the right things, so we are in the right direction.”
T-Birds forward Zach Senecal also had a three point night, scoring once and setting up two others while Matt Caruso and Nick Smith recorded a goal and an assist each.
Gage Stephney had a goal for the T-Birds while Jake Behse, Mike Winn and Kaidan McDonald all chipped in with an assist each.
Connor Tessier had the lone goal for the Express while Riley Smith and Daniel Siddock had an assist each.
Logan Sawka gave up 5 goals on 56 shots in the loss while T-Birds goaltender Dougie Newhouse 23 made saves for the victory.
T-Birds will be back on John Rhodes ice Saturday, February 25th at 7:30 p.m. against the Elliot Lake Wildcats.
(Photo credit to James Egan’s Sports Photography)
