By Matt Stefano
After dropping a 4-3 overtime decision to the Blind River Beavers back on Wednesday night in the Soo, the Soo Thunderbirds will be looking to get back on the winning track tonight at 7:00 p.m. as they will take on the Cochrane Crunch at the John Rhodes.
The Thunderbirds, who lost to the Blind River Beavers 4-3 in overtime back on Wednesday night, are coming into tonight’s game with a record of 12 wins, 7 losses, 2 overtime losses and 1 shootout loss, good for 27 points and 3rd place in the NOJHL’s West Division standings.
In their last five games, the Thunderbirds have also recorded 3 wins and 2 overtime losses.
The Crunch, meanwhile, are entering tonight’s game with a record of 5 wins, 16 losses and 1 overtime loss, good for 11 points and are currently in 4th place in the NOJHL’s East Division standings.
Tonight will also be Cochrane’s first visit to the John Rhodes in 1490 days.
WAY BACK
The last time the Soo Thunderbirds played the Cochrane Crunch at the John Rhodes Community Centre, was back on October 14, 2018, when they fell to the Crunch by a score of 6-4.
During that game, the Thunderbirds had a 4-2 lead through forty minutes of play, before surrendering four unanswered goals in the third period.
Since Cochrane’s last appearance at the John Rhodes, the Thunderbirds then had a home game against them at the Soo Pee Wee Arena back on October 18, 2019 (which was a 4-3 win) and another home game against them at the GFL Memorial Gardens back on March 4, 2022 (which was a 6-1 win).
SO FAR THIS SEASON
In one meeting against the Cochrane Crunch this season, the Thunderbirds blanked them by a score of 4-0 at the Tim Horton Events Centre in Cochrane back on Saturday, September 24.
During that game, Thunderbirds defenceman James Kearney led the way offensively with two assists while goaltender Zachary Reddy finished the night with 21 saves, good for his first career shutout.
BOY OH BEAUPRE
After recording two assists in Wednesday night’s 4-3 overtime loss against the Blind River Beavers, Thunderbirds forward Daniel Beaupre is now entering tonight’s game on a three-game point scoring streak.
Beaupre, who is currently riding a three-game point scoring streak, has recorded 2 goals and 4 assists in his last three games.
Before coming over to the Thunderbirds in a trade from the Timmins Rock back on September 19, Beaupre has never had a three-game point-scoring streak in his NOJHL career.
BOSWELL DOING WELL
After leading the Cochrane Crunch in scoring last season with 16 goals and 30 points in 45 games, forward Liam Boswell is once again leading the Crunch in scoring again this season.
Boswell, who is currently in his third season with the Crunch, is currently leading all Crunch players in scoring this season with 6 goals and 17 points.
The 2004-birth-year forward is also leading all Crunch players in shorthanded tallies this season with 2.
(Photo of Soo Thunderbirds forward Michael Chaffay credit to Bob Davies)
