By Matt Stefano
For the first time since the 2013-2014 season, the Soo Thunderbirds are ranked first in the Canadian Junior Hockey League coming into this week with an outstanding 34-3-1 record and on Saturday night they were looking to extend their winning streak to four games as they were in Sault, Michigan to take on the Eagles.
Saturday night’s contest also marked the debut of newly acquired T-Bird Adam McPhail.
Khadyn Butterfly scored the lone goal for the T-Birds as they fell to the Soo Eagles by a 2-1 score at the Pullar Stadium. Brett Jeffries had the only assist while T-Birds goalie Brandon Gordon gave up 2 goals on 28 shots.
Roman Gaudet and Brad Hofelich each tallied for the Eagles while assists went to Gord Helmuth and Chris Skinner. Eagles goalie Cam Bruggrabe made 35 saves for the win.
The T-Birds conclude their final road trip for the month of January on Sunday afternoon at 2 pm in Espanola against the Express.