By Matt Stefano
Wednesday night hockey takes place at the John Rhodes Community Centre tonight at 7:00 p.m., as the Soo Thunderbirds take on the Elliot Lake Wildcats.
The Thunderbirds enter tonight’s game with a record of 25 wins, 14 losses, 2 overtime losses and 3 shootout losses, good for 55 points and third place in the NOJHL’s West Division.
The Soo has also given up the least goals against in the West Division, only letting in 121.
The Wildcats enter tonight’s game with a record of 5 wins, 28 losses and 1 overtime loss, good for only 11 points as they sit last overall in the NOJHL’s 12-team loop.
THE LAST TIME THEY MET
The last time these two clubs met was back on Wednesday, January 10th, when the Thunderbirds defeated the Wildcats by a score of 11-3 at Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake.
Thunderbirds forward Rylan Clemons lead the way offensively that night, scoring three times and assisting on two others while goaltender Sam Evola made 26 stops for the victory.
SAVY RECOGNIZED BY I.D.A
Rookie forward Tyler Savard has been named the Thunderbirds I.D.A. Pharmacy Player of the Week (Jan. 20-26).
In the only game played last week (January 25th), the Soo Greyhounds 2019 eleventh round pick scored twice and assisted on another in a 7-5 win over the Soo Eagles at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
NOT ENOUGH GOALS, TOO MANY AGAINST
The Wildcats enter tonight’s game with the least goals in the league (91) and the most goals allowed (265).
With only 91 goals, the Wildcats are the only team in the NOJHL that has not scored 100 goals or more.
Other than the Wildcats, no team in the league has surrendered 200 goals or more.
NO POWER
The Wildcats enter tonight’s game with the worst power play in the entire league, operating at 12.2%.
KOVACS HITS 40
In last night’s game against Espanola, Thunderbirds rookie forward Jake Kovacs picked up one assist to give him 40 points on the season.
Kovacs also became the first Thunderbird rookie to record 40 points in a regular season since Camaryn Baber did back in 2017-2018.
ON THE BLUELINE
Thunderbirds rookie defenceman Warner Young currently leads all NOJHL rookie defencemen in scoring with 3 goals and 26 points in 43 games.
(This Thunderbirds Game Preview is sponsored by Giovanni’s Restaurant)
(Photo by Bob Davies)
