By Matt Stefano
A memorable season officially came to an end on Wednesday night for the Soo Thunderbirds.
On Wednesday night, the Soo Thunderbirds concluded the Centennial Cup tournament with a loss in their fourth and final game of round robin action as they fell by a score of 6-1 to the MJHL’s Dauphin Kings at Affinity Place in Estevan, Saskatchewan.
With the loss, the Thunderbirds have now concluded the 2022 Centennial Cup tournament with a record of 0 wins and 4 losses.
Despite not qualifying for a playoff round in this year’s Centennial Cup tournament, the Soo Thunderbirds still had a season to remember in their 23rd season in the NOJHL, as they finished first overall in the NOJHL regular season standings with 81 points and were also crowned Copeland Cup McNamara Trophy champions for the 5th time in franchise history.
Kings rookie forward Brayden Dube scored three times for his club on Wednesday night while Matthew Rathbone also had a three-point game of his own, with three assists.
Klim Georgiev had a goal and an assist for the Kings while Kaden Bryan also had a two-point game, with a pair of helpers.
Nick Braun and Colby Jacquet had the other goals for the Kings on Wednesday night while Owen Wareham, Logan Calder, Nakodan Greyeyes, Parker Malchuk and Aidan Brook all set up a goal each.
Rookie forward Kelsey Ouellet had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds on Wednesday night with assists going to Michael Chaffay and Cooper Foster.
Ouellet, who had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds, was also named the player of the game for the Soo Thunderbirds.
Thunderbirds goaltender Noah Zeppa gave up 6 goals on 26 shots in the loss while Kings netminder Carson Cherpak made 17 saves for the victory.
