By Matt Stefano
One week ago today, the Soo Thunderbirds fell to the Blind River Beavers by a score of 6-3 at the Blind River Community Centre in Blind River.
But tonight they will be back on John Rhodes ice at 7:00 p.m. to take on the very same Beavers team.
The Soo enters tonight’s game with a record of 0 wins and 2 losses, while the Beavers come in with a record of 2 wins and 0 losses.
Tonight’s game will also be the third straight meeting between these two clubs.
HEAD TO HEAD
In the first two meetings against the Beavers this season, the Thunderbirds have lost to them 4-2 at the John Rhodes Community Centre on Friday, November 20th, followed by a 6-3 loss to them on Saturday, November 21st in Blind River.
TWO ASSISTS FOR MAURO
After being held off the scoresheet in last Friday’s 4-2 win in the Soo, Blind River Beavers rookie forward Devin Mauro recorded his first two NOJHL points (assists) in last Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Thunderbirds at the Blind River Community Centre in Blind River.
Mauro picked up his first NOJHL assist on Lucas Adams power play goal at the 12:14 mark of the second, which at that time put the Beavers ahead by a score of 3-2.
He then added an assist on Jared Dupuis’ shorthanded tally with 2:16 left to go in the middle frame, putting the Beavers up 4-2.
Mauro enters tonight’s game with 2 assists in two games played.
THE CONNOR
Rookie defenceman Connor Toms currently leads the Thunderbirds in scoring with 2 points in 2 games.
Toms scored his first NOJHL goal and added an assist for the Thunderbirds in their 4-2 loss to the Beavers on Friday, November 20th.
That night, he was also named third star of the game.
DUPUIS GETS RECOGNIZED
Blind River Beavers forward Jesse Dupuis has been named one of this week’s NOJHL Eastlink TV 3 Stars of the Week.
After scoring just two goals all of last season, Dupuis already has two goals in his first two games played here in the 2020-2021 regular season.
The twenty-year old had one goal in the Beavers 4-2 win over the Thunderbirds on Friday night in the Soo.
He then scored a shorthand goal, which proved to be the game-winner in last Saturday’s 6-3 win over the Thunderbirds in Blind River.
NOVELLO NETS HIS FIRST
Thunderbirds rookie forward Ethan Novello scored his first NOJHL goal in last Saturday’s 6-3 loss to the Beavers in Blind River.
Novello found the back of the net at that the 5:21 mark of the second period from Russell Oldham and Kurtis Rogers, which at that time tied the game up at two.
Heading into tonight’s game, Novello has one goal in two games played.
GAV IN GOAL
Beavers rookie netminder Gavin Disano picked up his first NOJHL victory, making 38 saves in last Saturday’s 6-3 win against the Thunderbirds.
That night, he was also named third star of the game.
DOUCETTE GETS A HELPER
Thunderbirds rookie forward Tyson Doucette recorded his first NOJHL point (assist) in last Saturday’s 6-3 loss in Blind River.
Doucette drew an assist on Cooper Smyl‘s power play tally at the 16:00 mark of the third period, which at that time cut the Beavers lead to 5-3.
Heading into tonight’s game, Doucette has one assist in two games played.
(Photo by Bob Davies)