Thunderbirds face Crunch for the third time this season

By Matt Stefano

After defeating the Greater Sudbury Cubs by a score of 6-2 back on Thursday night in Sudbury, the Soo Thunderbirds will now be back on home ice tonight at 7:00 p.m. as they will take on the Cochrane Crunch at the John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Thunderbirds, who are coming off a 6-2 victory over the Cubs, are entering tonight’s game with a record of 31-12-3-2, good for 67 points and third place in the NOJHL’s West Division standings.

The Crunch, meanwhile, are entering tonight’s game with a record of 6-37-1-1, good for only 14 points and fifth place in the NOJHL’s East Division standings.

Tonight will also be Cochrane’s final visit to the Soo this season.

HEAD TO HEAD

In two meetings against the Crunch so far this season, the Thunderbirds have defeated them both times and have outscored them 10-1 overall.

Dharan Cap (1g 2a), Jackson Truchan (1g 2a) and Austin Fellinger (0g 3a) have all led the way offensively against the Crunch this season with three points each.

TWENTY-THREE FOR TRUCHY?

After going goalless in Thursday night’s 6-2 win over Greater Sudbury, Soo Thunderbirds rookie forward and Farmington Hills, Michigan native Jackson Truchan is still sitting at 22 goals on the season.

If Truchy gets his 23rd goal of the season tonight, the Farmington Hills, Michigan native will set the new franchise record for most goals by an American-born rookie.

Right now, Truchy currently sits tied for that record with Josh Leddy (2002-2003).

OH YENRY!

Since being acquired in a trade from the Timmins Rock back on October 11, Cochrane Crunch rookie forward Yenry Jibb has recorded 5 goals and 13 assists in 31 games as a member of the Crunch.

Jibb, who is currently sitting second in team scoring with the Crunch, is also sitting first among all Crunch rookies in assists this season, with 13.

AHEAD BY TWO CENTURIES

When the Soo Thunderbirds hit the ice tonight against the Cochrane Crunch, tonight’s game will mark the 200th career junior hockey game for Soo Thunderbirds forward Justin Mauro.

Mauro, who will play in game No. 200 of his junior hockey career tonight, has played with five different teams throughout his junior hockey career, including the Blind River Beavers, Trenton Golden Hawks, Markham Royals, Navan Grads and the Soo Thunderbirds.

In 128 career games played in the NOJHL, Mauro has recorded 37 goals, 80 assists and 117 points.

(Photo of Soo Thunderbirds forward Justin Mauro credit to Bob Davies)

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