By Matt Stefano
Heading into Wednesday night action, the Soo Thunderbirds came in as the eighth best team in the Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings and were in Blind River to take on the Beavers in game three of the Provenzano Cup series. The T-Birds won their third meeting against the Beavers by a score of 9-1 and also extended their winning streak to seven games.
T-Birds forward Darian Pilon, who was named the NOJHL’s Gongshow Gear rookie of the month for September, led the way with two goals and two assists. Matt Pinder, who hasn’t scored in four games after his eight game goal scoring streak to start the season, opened the scoring on the power play with his 10th of the season at 10:37 into the first.
Joey Miller had a three point night with two goals and an assist while two point nights went to Matt Caruso (0g 2a), Zach Senecal (0g 2a) and Caleb Boman (1g 1a), who now leads all NOJHL defencemen in scoring with 13 points.
Matt Busby, Ryan Mulligan and Nathan Hebert all got on the scoreboard with a goal each while single assists went to Brandon Grandinetti, Izaak Del Mastro, Drake Pilon and Aiden Salerno, who made his debut with the T-Birds after being acquired from the BCHL’s Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
T-Birds goaltender Brandon Gordon made 21 stops for the win and Beavers net minder Martin Miloslavich gave up 6 goals on 28 shots before being replaced by Maxwell Barr, who let in 3 goals on 14 shots.
Nathan Hans had the only goal for the Beavers with Cole Murray picking up the lone assist.
Game four of the Provenzano Cup goes back in the Sault on Wednesday, October 21st vs the Blind Rivers Beavers at 7:00 p.m. from the Essar Centre.
