By Matt Stefano
After blanking the Cochrane Crunch by a score of 4-0 one week ago (September 24) in Cochrane, and concluding the month of September with 3 wins and 4 losses, the Soo Thunderbirds returned to action for their first game of October on Saturday, October 1 as they made a visit to Sudbury to take on the Greater Sudbury Cubs at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
The Thunderbirds, who made a visit to the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex for the first time this season, also had yet to lose a game against the Cubs on Gerry McCrory ice, as they went a perfect 3-0 against them on Gerry McCrory ice last season.
On Saturday night, the Thunderbirds lost for the first time ever at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex as they fell to the Greater Sudbury Cubs by a score of 4-1.
After skating scoreless after twenty minutes of play, the Cubs ended up scoring three goals in a span of 9:32 in the second period, which built a 3-0 lead.
With the Thunderbirds trailing 3-0 with under a minute left in the second, it would then be Thunderbirds rookie forward Jackson Truchan getting his first career NOJHL goal on the power play from Youssef Chaouachi at 19:04, which cut the Cubs lead to 3-1 heading into the third period.
With the Cubs leading the Thunderbirds by two late in the third period, it would then be Cubs rookie forward and Barrie Colts 2022 5th round pick Nolan Newton getting his 4th goal of the season from Marshall McCharles and Nicolas Toffoli at 15:59, which gave the Cubs a 4-1 lead.
Newton, who scored his 4th goal of the season at the 15:59 mark of the third, finished the night with a goal and an assist, giving him his second straight multi-point game.
Cole Crowder, Cameron Walker and Oliver Smith finished the night with a goal each for the Cubs while Billy Biedermann led the way offensively with two assists.
Marshall McCharles, Nicholas Toffoli and Kyloe Ellis also all got on the scoresheet for the Cubs on Saturday night with one assist each.
Thunderbirds rookie netminder Kolton Bourret gave up 4 goals on 36 shots in the loss while Cubs goaltender Nathaniel Boyes made 21 saves for the victory.
Next action for the T-Birds will be on Tuesday night at 6:45 pm., when they will take on the Timmins Rock in day 1 of the NOJHL Showcase, which will be taking place this year at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.
GOOD BOYES
On Saturday night, Cubs goaltender Nathaniel Boyes was named first star of the game in the Cubs 4-1 victory over the Soo Thunderbirds in Sudbury.
Following Saturday night’s win, Boyes has now given himself a record of 4 wins, 1 loss and 1 overtime loss this season.
GREAT START FOR GIBBY
Looking at the OHL now, Soo Thunderbirds graduate Andrew Gibson is off to a great start this year with the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds.
Gibson, who is in his first full season with the Greyhounds, is currently leading the Greyhounds in scoring right now with 2 goals and 4 points.
(Photo credit to Gino Donato)
