By Matt Stefano
After opening up the year 2019 with a 3-2 loss in Elliot Lake back on Friday night, the Soo Thunderbirds were looking to pick up their first win of the new year on Sunday night as they were in Chelmsford to take on the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
Sunday night’s contest also marked the debut of defenceman Brady Caruso, who was reacquired by the Thunderbirds in a trade with the CCHL’s Smith Falls Bears back on Friday.
Last season with the Thunderbirds, Caruso had 23 points in 46 regular season games.
The Thunderbirds picked up their 26th win of the season on Sunday night in Chelmsford, as they defeated the Rayside Balfour Canadians by a score of 5-3 at Chelmsford Arena.
Thunderbirds forward and NOJHL’s leading scorer Lucas Theriault recorded his first career five point game with a pair of power play goals and three assists.
Noah Boman, who had both goals for the Thunderbirds in their 3-2 loss in Elliot Lake back on Friday night, scored once and set up three others on Sunday night for his first four point game as a Thunderbird.
Roseneath, Ontario native Matthew Bazarin had a pair of goals, including an empty netter along with adding an assist for the Thunderbirds.
Defencemen Steven Bellini and Kobe Seguin also got the scoresheet for the Thunderbirds with one assist each.
Chase Stillman (power play), Ryan Mooney and Noah Serre had the goals for the Canadians.
Kyle Liinamaa led the way offensively for the Canadians with a pair of assists while Giordano Biondi and Alexandre Fowke chipped in with one assist each.
Canadians goaltender David Bowen gave up four goals on thirty five shots before being replaced in net by Sebastian Plamondon, who made one save on one shot.
Thunderbirds rookie netminder Colin Ahern made twenty four saves for the victory.
Next action for the Thunderbirds will be this Friday at 7:00 p.m., when they visit the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex in Kirkland Lake for their first meeting of the season against the Gold Miners.
(Photo of Lucas Theriault credit to Rod Aubertin/www.ssmphotos.com)
