By Matt Stefano
After winning the first two games of the NOJHL West Division semifinal series last week in Blind River, the Soo Thunderbirds will now be back on John Rhodes ice tonight for game 3 of West Division semifinal series (Against the Blind River Beavers), beginning at 7:00 p.m.
So far in this series, the Thunderbirds have outscored the Blind River Beavers 11-7 overall.
TRUCHY TRAIN
In his first two playoff games played last week in Blind River, Thunderbirds rookie forward Jackson Truchan recorded back-to-back four-point games, with a three-goal and one-assist performance last Thursday in game 1, followed by a four-assist effort last Saturday in game 2.
Truchy, who is coming off back-to-back four-point games, is the first T-Bird player to record back-to-back four-point games during a postseason since Jerry Petingalo (Soo Thunderbirds all-time points leader) did back in 2011.
BIRDS POWER PLAY VS THE BEAVERS
During the 2022-2023 regular season, the Blind River Beavers had the best penalty kill in the entire NOJHL, operating at 88.9%.
But so far during this postseason, the Soo Thunderbirds have done a great job at making their power plays count against the top penalty killing team in the league.
In their first two games played this series against the Beavers, the Thunderbirds have scored a total of four power play goals, including one in game 1 and three in game 2.
The Thunderbirds, who are entering tonight’s game with four power play goals, currently have the second most power play goals in the league this postseason.
The Timmins Rock currently sit first in the league with 5.
DUNNY GETTING IT DONE
After scoring the game-winning goal in Saturday night’s game 2 victory in Blind River, Soo Thunderbirds defenceman Kaden Dundas is now entering tonight’s game on a two-game goal-scoring streak.
Both of Dunny’s goals this postseason have also come on the power play.
Dundas, who is entering tonight’s game on a two-game goal-scoring streak, is the first Soo Thunderbird defenceman to start a postseason on a two-game goal-scoring streak since Brad Pascall (2012).
(Photo of Soo Thunderbirds captain Brock Santa Maria credit to Bob Davies)
