By Matt Stefano
After a 6-1 victory over Blind River on Wednesday night, the Soo Thunderbirds were looking to make it four straight victories as they welcomed the Timmins Rock to the Soo for the first time.
A power play marker by Matt Mitchell with just 15 seconds to go in the final frame proved to be the winner as the T-Birds slipped past the Rock 4-3.
Matt Pinder, Zach Senecal and Nathan Hebert had the other goals for the Soo.
Matt Caruso led the way offensively for the Soo with two assists while Brandon Grandinetti, Izaak Del Mastro, Joey Miller and Matt Busby all chipped in with single helpers.
Nathan Warren stopped twenty five shots for the T-Birds win.
Tristan Salesse and Mike Norris each led the way for the Rock with a goal and an assist while Kealey Cummings had one goal on the night.
Jared Hester, Zach Kercz, Tyler Romain and Tyler Planetta all had single assists.
Timmins goaltender Matt Nixon gave up four goals on forty five shots.
The 4-0 T-Birds will now head to Blind River on Sunday, September 20th to take on the Beavers. Game time is 3:00 p.m. from the Blind River Community Centre.
OTHER NOTES
Soo Thunderbirds head coach Jordan Smith along with team president Kevin Cain have both been named to Team NOJHL for the Eastern Canada All-Star Junior A Challenge.
Smith will serve as Team NOJHL’s head coach for the second consecutive year while Cain will be operations assistant.
The tournament takes place from November 16th-18th in Cornwall, Ontario.
In alumni news, Boris Katchouk notched a goal and an assist for the Soo Greyhounds tonight in a 5-4 preseason win over the Saginaw Spirit at the Dow Event Centre. Also, former T-Birds forward Nick Sicoly recorded his first assist and point of the preseason with the Guelph Storm in a 6-1 over the Peterborough Points.
(Photo of Matt Mitchell credit to Rod Aubertin)
