By Matt Stefano
The Soo Thunderbirds have already clinched a playoff berth, and tonight they will be in action at the John Rhodes Community Centre against their cross-border rivals, the Soo Eagles at 7:00 p.m.
The Thunderbirds enter tonight’s game with a record of 23 wins, 14 losses, 2 overtime losses and 3 shootout losses, good for 51 points and third place in the NOJHL’s West Division.
The Eagles currently have a record of 23 wins, 17 losses, 2 overtime losses and 2 shootout losses, good for 50 points and fourth in the West.
IN THEIR LAST MEETING
The last time these two clubs met was back on Friday, January 17th in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, when the Thunderbirds defeated the Eagles by a score of 1-0 in overtime at the Pullar Stadium.
Thunderbirds rookie forward and Soo Greyhounds 2019 eleventh round pick Tyler Savard was the overtime hero that night, scoring his eleventh goal of the season and his second overtime goal at the 1:29 mark of overtime.
Goaltender Sam Evola made thirty nine saves for his second shutout of the season.
MR. OVERTIME
He’s only in his first season in the NOJHL, but he already made a name for himself in the Soo Thunderbirds record book.
Thunderbirds rookie forward and Soo Greyhounds 2019 eleventh round pick Tyler Savard, who scored his second overtime goal of the season in last Friday’s 1-0 overtime win in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, tied the Soo Thunderbirds record for most overtime goals by a player in a regular season, joining Jeff Rainville (2003), Geoff Gieni (2011), Jerry Petingalo (2011) and Eric Hillock (2014).
SAMMY DOES IT AGAIN
After recording his second shutout of the season in last Friday’s 1-0 overtime win in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Thunderbirds newly signed goaltender Sam Evola has been named one of the this week’s NOJHL Eastlink TV 3 Stars Of The Week.
Evola has now been recognized as one of the Eastlink TV 3 Stars Of The Week for the second time in three weeks.
WARNING! IT’S WARNER!
He is currently in his rookie season with the Thunderbirds, but he is also one of the top defencemen in the NOJHL.
Thunderbirds rookie defenceman Warner Young currently sits fifth among NOJHL blueliners in scoring with 3 goals and 25 points in 41 games.
His 25 points are also the most among NOJHL rookie defencemen.
KEEPING THE PUCKS OUT
Entering tonight’s game, the Soo Thunderbirds have given up the least goals against in the NOJHL’s West Division, only letting in 115 goals.
(This Thunderbirds Game Preview is sponsored by Giovanni’s Restaraunt)
(Photo by Bob Davies)
