By Matt Stefano
After opening up their 2019-2020 regular season with a 7-2 win over the Soo Eagles on Saturday night, the Soo Thunderbirds were right back in action twenty four hours later as they took on the Espanola Express at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The Thunderbirds improved their record to 2-0 on Sunday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre as they defeated the Express by a score of 3-1.
“The boys played great,” said Thunderbirds forward Daniel Bazarin. “We came out pretty strong and all around I thought we played really well defensively.”
Bazarin scored the game winner and assisted on another for a two-point night.
In his first two games with the Thunderbirds, the Roseneath, Ontario native now has 2 goals and 1 assists.
“It feels good to come out strong and I just want to keep it going the whole season,” continued Bazarin.
Daniel Bazarin was named the Subway first star of the game on Sunday night just after his older brother Matt got awarded first star of the game in Saturday’s 7-2 win over the Soo Eagles.
“It definitely feels great and I just want to thank my parents and God,” continued Bazarin.
Rookie forward Jakob Kovacs also had a big night offensively for the Thunderbirds, scoring a shorthanded goal and adding an assist while rookie netminder Dakota Meyer made 24 saves in his NOJHL debut.
“Dakota is an amazing goaltender with a great glove and Kovacs is going to do great things in his hockey career for sure,” concluded Bazarin.
Matthew Bazarin had a power play goal for the Thunderbirds while Tyler Dunbar, Tristan Cicchello and Avery Rebek all chipped in with one assist each.
Bradley Brunet had the lone goal for the Express with assists going to Zachary Matyasik and Hunter Halcrow.
Express goaltender Andrew Rocha gave up 3 goals on 47 shots in the loss.
The Thunderbirds will now get set for the first road game of their 2019-2020 regular season this Friday night, when they visit Blind River to take on the Beavers.
Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. at the Blind River Community Centre.
(Photo credit to Bob Davies)