By Matt Stefano
On Friday night, the Soo Thunderbirds were looking to snap a three-game losing streak as they were in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to take on the NOJHL’s top scorer Nick Techel and the Soo Eagles.
After a scoreless forty minutes of play, the Eagles would get on the board first at the 2:45 mark of the third period, courtesy of Jake Lamberty’s 4th goal of the season from Jonathan Lankhani and Matt Capisciolto.
Thunderbirds forward Tyler Malpass, who entered Friday night’s contest second in team goals, extended his goal scoring streak to seven games with his 9th goal of the season on the power play at 9:25 from Alex Acosta and Brendan Miller to tie the game at one.
Then, with just 4:13 to go in regulation time, it would be Thunderbirds top scorer Nick Smith getting his team leading 16th goal of the season from Soo Greyhounds prospect Robert Calisti and assistant captain Kaidan McDonald, putting the Thunderbirds ahead 2-1.
Smith’s goal would prove to be the game-winner as the Thunderbirds went on to edge the Soo Eagles 2-1 at Pullar Stadium.
Brandon Gordon made 39 stops for the Thunderbirds win while Eagles goaltender Carter McPhail gave up 2 goals on 23 shots in the loss.
The Thunderbirds will conclude their two-game road trip on Sunday in Elliot Lake when they visit Centennial Arena to take on the Wildcats at 7:00 p.m.
NOTE
Thunderbirds forward Camaryn Baber, who is currently playing with the Saginaw Spirit, picked up his first career OHL point and assist on Friday night in a 4-2 loss to the Mississauga Steelheads at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
(Photo of Nick Smith credit to Jim Egan)
