By Matt Stefano
Afternoon action takes place today at the John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, as the Soo Thunderbirds will take on the Hearst Lumberjacks in their fourth meeting of the season, beginning at 2:00 p.m.
The Thunderbirds are entering this afternoon’s game with a record of 6 wins, 6 losses and 1 shootout loss, good for 13 points and are currently in fourth place in the NOJHL’s West Division standings.
The Birds are also currently riding a two-game winning streak.
The Lumberjacks, meanwhile, are entering this afternoon’s game with a record of 10 wins and 3 losses, good for 20 points and are currently in first place in the NOJHL’s East Division standings.
This afternoon’s game will also be the Lumberjacks first visit to the John Rhodes since the Thunderbirds defeated them in game 7 of the 2022 NOJHL final back on May 12.
HEAD TO HEAD
In three meetings against the Lumberjacks this season (All away from the John Rhodes), the Lumberjacks have defeated the Thunderbirds all three times and have outscored them 18-8 overall.
During this regular season series against the Lumberjacks, forward Youssef Chaouachi has led the way offensively for the Thunderbirds with 4 points, which are all assists.
THE TRUCHAN SHOW
Since signing with the Soo Thunderbirds back on September 20, Thunderbirds rookie forward Jackson Truchan has recorded 7 points in his first 9 games played with the Soo this season.
In the Thunderbirds 4-2 victory against the Timmins Rock back on Friday, Truchan scored twice, including once on the power play, giving him his first career two-goal game.
Truchan, who is currently leading all Thunderbird rookies in scoring, is also entering this afternoon’s game on a six-game point-scoring streak.
OH, RILEY
After putting up 35 points in 44 games one season ago, Hearst Lumberjacks forward Riley Klugerman has been off to a rocket start so far this season as he has already recorded 24 points in just 13 games played here in 2022-2023.
Klugerman, who already has 24 points this season, is also entering this afternoon’s game as the top scorer in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.
(Photo of Soo Thunderbirds rookie forward Jackson Truchan credit to Matt Stefano)
