By Matt Stefano
After defeating the Blind River Beavers by a score of 4-3 back on Sunday afternoon in Blind River, the Soo Thunderbirds were back in action on Wednesday night in Elliot Lake for a matchup against the last place Wildcats.
Wednesday night’s game also marked the return of Thunderbirds top scoring defenceman Warner Young, who returned to the lineup after serving a two-game suspension.
The Thunderbirds, who entered Wednesday night’s game with 29 wins, were looking to hit the 30-win plateau for the thirteenth straight season.
The last time the Thunderbirds and Wildcats met, was back on February 8th in Elliot Lake, when the Thunderbirds scored their season high 12 goals to go on to hammer the Wildcats by a score of 12-3, but Wednesday night’s game was a much different result.
The Thunderbirds managed to pick up one point in Elliot Lake on Wednesday night as they fell to the last place Wildcats by a score of 3-2 in a sudden death shootout at Centennial Arena.
Captain Connor Taylor (power play) and Logan Gallagher had the goals for the Wildcats while Curtis Gervais, Nicholas Jameus, Jackson Grozelle and Robert Maulucci all chipped in with one assist each.
Rookies Tyler Savard (power play) and Kurtis Rogers had the goals for the Soo while Rylan Clemons, Jake Kovacs, Tristan Cicchello and Jacob Boucha all recorded one assist each.
During the shootout, rookie forward Jake Kovacs was the only Thunderbird to find the back on the net.
Cooper Smyl, Tyler Savard, Avery Rebek, Brock Santa Maria and Rylan Clemons also shot for the Thunderbirds during the shootout but did not score.
Sherwood Park, Alberta native Roman Lamoureux had the shootout winner for the Wildcats in the sixth round while captain Connor Taylor also found the back of the net in the second round.
Noah Bradburn Logan Gallagher, Tysne Stranski and Nicholas Jameus also shot for the Wildcats during the shootout but did not score.
Thunderbirds goaltender Sam Evola made a season high 47 saves in the loss while Wildcats goaltender Jonathan Lemaire made 38 saves for the victory.
The Thunderbirds, who are still in search for their 30th victory, will try once again to do it this Saturday at 7:00 p.m., when they take on the Soo Eagles at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
