By Matt Stefano
After opening up the NOJHL Final with a 3-2 win over the Hearst Lumberjacks in game 1 on Saturday night, the Soo Thunderbirds were right back in action less than twenty four hours later for game 2, which began at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The last time the Thunderbirds had an afternoon home game in the playoffs, was back on March 16th, 2013.
The Thunderbirds surrendered seven goals, including five in the second period on Sunday afternoon, as they fell by a score of 7-3 to the Hearst Lumberjacks in game 2 of the NOJHL Final at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Max Johnson led the way offensively for the Lumberjacks with two goals and two assists while defenceman Troy Daniels also had a big afternoon offensively, setting up three goals.
Lumberjacks assistant captain Bradley Golant scored once and set up another for his club while Blaise Arkle also had a two point afternoon with a power play marker and an assist.
Cameron Clark, Sebastien Doucet and Max Griffioen had the other goals for the Lumberjacks while Daniel Fisher, Alec Johnson, George Young and Christian James-McDonald all chipped in with one assist each.
Lucas Theriault (power play), Tyler Malpass and Kaidan McDonald (shorthanded) all had the goals for the Thunderbirds while Noah Boman, Steven Bellini, Nick Smith, Brendan Miller and Noah Solinger all got on the scoresheet with one assist each.
Thunderbirds captain Kaidan McDonald, who scored his second shorthanded goal of the postseason on Sunday afternoon, became the first Thunderbird to score two shorthanded goals in a single postseason since Gavin Burbach did back in 2014.
Lumberjacks goaltender Nicholas Tallarico made twenty six saves for the win on Sunday afternoon.
Thunderbirds netminder Colin Ahern gave up five goals on twenty four shots in the loss, before being replaced in net by William Anderson, who then gave up two goals on ten shots the rest of the way.
The Thunderbirds will now travel to Hearst for game 3 of the NOJHL Final, which will take place on Wednesday night at the Claude Larose Arena at 7:00 p.m.