By Matt Stefano
A win here, a loss there.
That’s the way it’s been for the Soo Thunderbirds against the Soo Eagles through four meetings thus far. The T-Birds beat them on home ice the first night and then lose to them at the Pullar the second night.
After beating the Eagles 8-5 on Friday night on Essar Centre ice to keep their perfect home record alive, the T-Birds were in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on Saturday night hoping to go two for two against their cross border rivals.
The Eagles doubled up on the T-Birds 6-3 at the Pullar Stadium on Saturday night.
Austin Kozluk, who recorded his first two NOJHL goals in Friday’s 8-5 win, led the way offensively for the T-Birds on Saturday night with a pair of goals and a helper.
Ryan Waterhouse also had a multi point night with a goal and an assist while Zach Senecal and captain Matt Caruso recorded an assist each.
Eagles forward Brad Hofelich had a pair of goals including an empty netter while Tait Aptakin had a goal and an assist.
Matt Meininger, Nick Trecroce and Jake Saxton had a pair of assists each for the Eagles while single assists went to Matt Passino, Jacob Palmerio, William Casey and Brendan Schulz.
Rhett Rampinelli, Chris Lutz and Chris Murphy had the other goals for the Eagles.
Justyn Gillis made 34 stops for the Eagles win while Brandon Gordon gave up 5 goals on 38 shots for the T-Birds loss.
The T-Birds went 1 for 7 on the man advantage while going 7 for 9 on the penalty kill.
The T-Birds will welcome two familiar faces to the Essar Centre on Sunday, October 2nd as former T-Bird assistant coach Kyle Brick and the Blind River Beavers make their first visit of the season. Brick is currently in his first season as bench boss of the Beavers. Former T-Bird and Soo Greyhound defenceman Dylan King is also an assistant coach this year with the Beavers.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. at the Essar Centre on Sunday night and it will also mark game one of the Provenzano Cup series.
(Photo of Austin Kozluk credit to James Egan’s Sports Photography)