By Matt Stefano
The Soo Thunderbirds will play their first home game of the month of February tonight at 7:00 p.m. against the Rayside Balfour Canadians at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
The Thunderbirds enter tonight’s game with a record of 28 wins, 16 losses, 2 overtime losses and 3 shootout losses, good for 61 points and third place in the NOJHL’s West Division.
The Canadians currently sit first in the NOJHL’s West Division with a record of 35 wins, 10 losses, 3 overtime losses and 1 shootout loss, good for 74 points.
Rayside Balfour also enters tonight’s game as the highest scoring team in the West with 231 goals.
IN THEIR LAST MEETING
The last time these two clubs met was this past Sunday in Chelmsford, when the Thunderbirds fell to the Canadians by a score of 7-3 at Chelmsford Arena.
That game, Thunderbirds rookie forward Cooper Smyl scored once and set up another while Canadians rookie forward and Kitchener Rangers 2019 fourth round pick Mitchell Martin led the way offensively with a shorthanded goal and three assists.
KOVACS LEADING THE WAY
Thunderbirds rookie forward Jake Kovacs currently leads his club in scoring with 25 goals and 48 points in 48 games.
26 EACH
Canadians rookie forwards Nicholas DeGrazia and Oliver Smith enter tonight’s game with 26 goals each.
They also sit tied for first among NOJHL rookies in goals.
THE GUY WITH TWO FIRST NAMES
His name is Mitchell Martin.
And he’s a rookie who’s putting up some big numbers.
Canadians rookie forward Mitchell Martin enters tonight’s game as the club’s leading scorer with 20 goals and 52 points in 45 games.
Martin was also drafted in the 4th round (81st overall) by the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers in 2019.
(This Thunderbirds game preview is sponsored by Giovanni’s Restaurant)
(Photo credit to Bob Davies)
