By Matt Stefano
After picking up their 19th win of the season back on Friday night in Soo Michigan, thanks to a 3-1 victory over the Soo Eagles, the Soo Thunderbirds will now be looking for their 20th win of the season tonight as they will take on the Elliot Lake Red Wings at the John Rhodes Community Centre, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The T-Birds, who will be looking for win No. 20 on the season, are entering tonight’s game sitting in 3rd place in the NOJHL’s West Division standings with a record of 19 wins, 9 losses, 2 overtime losses and 1 shootout loss, good for 41 points.
The Soo is also currently riding a five-game winning streak.
The Red Wings, who are currently on a four-game losing streak, are entering tonight’s game sitting in last place in the NOJHL’s West Division standings with a record of 12 wins, 15 losses, 1 overtime loss and 1 shootout loss, good for just 26 points.
Tonight will also be the Thunderbirds final home game before the Christmas break and the new year.
HEAD TO HEAD
In six meetings against the Red Wings this season, the T-Birds have defeated them four times and have lost to them twice.
The Birds have also outscored the Red Wings 19-17 overall.
IN THEIR LAST MEETING
The last time the T-Birds and the Red Wings met, was back on Black Friday (Friday, November, 25), when the T-Birds defeated them by a score of 5-4 at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
During that game, the T-Birds got goals from five different players, including Youssef Chaouachi, Austin Fellinger, Justin Mauro, Wyatt Marlow and Dharan Cap.
T-Birds goaltender and North Bay Battalion 2021 15th round pick Kolton Bourret made 17 saves for the victory.
KILLING THEM OFF
Despite sitting in last place in the NOJHL’s West Division standings, the Elliot Lake Red Wings currently have the best penalty kill in the entire NOJHL, operating at 89.5%.
In their last game played back on Saturday night in Blind River, the Wings went 4-for-5 on the penalty kill against the Blind River Beavers.
MILESTONE FOR MAURO
In last Friday’s 3-1 victory over the Soo Eagles in Soo Michigan, T-Birds forward Justin Mauro finished the night with a pair of assists, giving him points No. 100 and 101 on his NOJHL career.
Mauro, who has now passed the century mark, is also entering tonight’s game on a five-game point-scoring steak (All multi-point games).
DANTAS GETTING IT DONE
Looking at rookies now, Elliot Lake Red Wings rookie forward Evan Dantas is entering tonight’s game as the top scorer on the Red Wings with 8 goals and 25 points in 28 games.
Dantas is also the only rookie in the NOJHL who is currently leading a team in scoring.
(Photo of Thunderbirds defenceman Tyler Boudreau credit to Bob Davies)
