By Matt Stefano
After defeating the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners by a score of 4-3 this past Sunday afternoon in the Soo, the Soo Thunderbirds were back in action for their second straight home game on Wednesday night as they took on the Elliot Lake Wildcats at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
This was also the third time in four games that the Thunderbirds faced the Wildcats.
The Thunderbirds scored nine times, including five in the opening period on Wednesday night as they hammered the Wildcats by a score of 9-1.
Escanaba, Michigan native Colton Hayes scored twice for the Thunderbirds, including once on the power play along with adding two helpers for his second four point game of the season.
Thunderbirds second year forward Avery Rebek recorded his first career four point game, scoring once and setting up three others.
Soo Greyhounds 2019 eleventh round pick Tyler Savard recorded three assists for his fourth three point game of the season while Matthew Bazarin scored twice, including once on the power play.
Nick Smith, MacKenzie Walkington and Nolan Ford had a power play goal and an assist each for the Thunderbirds while Cam Findlay also got on the scoresheet with one goal.
Co-captain Nick Smith, who scored a power play goal for the Thunderbirds on Wednesday night, gave himself his 87th career goal, putting him second on the Soo Thunderbirds all-time goals list.
Smith, who moved into second on the Soo Thunderbirds all-time goals list, passed Jerry Petingalo (2006-2011) and David Borrelli (1999-2002), who had 86 career goals each.
Second year defenceman Tristan Cicchello set up two goals for the Soo while rookies Cooper Smyl and Warner Young had one assist each.
Jake Rhoades had the lone goal for the Wildcats while goaltender Jonathan Lemaire picked up an assist.
Wildcats goaltender Jonathan Lemaire gave up 9 goals on 56 shots in the loss while Thunderbirds rookie netminder Dakota Meyer made 18 saves for the victory.
Goaltender Gavin Disano, who served as a backup to Dakota Meyer on Wednesday night, ended up playing the whole third period and turned aside all three shots directed his way.
The Thunderbirds will be back in action next Friday at 7:30 p.m., when they visit Kirkland Lake to take on the Gold Miners.
(Photo of Nick Smith credit to Bob Davies)
