Hockey Notebook: NOJHL Thunderbirds sweep weekend on road

It was a successful weekend for the Soo Thunderbirds in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

On Sunday, Nathan Hebert had a goal and two assists as the Thunderbirds beat the Blind River Beavers 7-2.

Izaak Del Mastro scored a pair of goals while Matt Pinder and Darian Pilon added a goal and an assist each. Joey Miller and Matthew Caruso also scored for the Thunderbirds. Mark Tasone assisted on a pair of goals.

Blind River goaltender Martin Miloslavich made 46 saves for the Beavers.

Offensively, Joseph Eben and Tyler Somers scored while Joel Fedeski and Max Khull assisted on two goals each for Blind River.

On Friday night, Mario Culina made 24 saves as the Thunderbirds blanked the Soo (MI) Eagles 4-0.

Darian and Drake Pilon had a goal and an assist each while Jake Behse and Matthew Busby also scored for the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds now prepare for a pair of home games this week.

The team hosts Blind River on Wednesday night before hosting the Eagles on Sunday. Both games are scheduled as 7:30 p.m. starts at the Essar Centre.

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In Great North Midget League action, the Soo Thunderbirds split a pair of games on home ice against the Timmins Majors.

On Saturday, Raf Praysner scored three times and assisted on another goal as the Thunderbirds beat the Majors 6-2. Nick Smith added four assists for the locals.

Nik Gervasi chipped in with a goal and an assist while Keegan Stevenson and Avery Rebek also scored.

Stewart Parnel and Malcolm Lemaire scored for Timmins in Saturday’s game.

On Sunday, Riley Robitaille had two goals and four assists as the Majors recovered for a 6-4 victory.

Danny Katic had three goals for the Majors while Karter Renouf also scored.

Smith, Rebek Stevenson and Lucas Theriault scored for the Thunderbirds.

Next up is a three-game road trip that will see the Thunderbirds take on the New Liskeard Cubs beginning on Friday night.

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The Lake Superior State Lakers hockey team continued Western Collegiate Hockey Association action over the weekend on the road with a pair of games against the Bemidji State Beavers.

On Friday night a 33-save performance from goaltender Gordon Defiel helped the Lakers to weekend-opening 3-2 victory.

Anthony Nellis had the game-winning goal for the Lakers while Gus Correale and Mitch Hults also scored.

Graeme McCormack had a goal and an assist for Bemidji State. Gerry Fitzgerald also scored.

On Saturday night, Defiel made 47 saves as the Lakers and Beavers slated to a 1-1 tie.

Alex Globke completed the Lakers scoring with a power play goal while Markus Gerbrandt had the lone goal for Bemidji State.

With a conference record of 1-2-3in six outings, the Lakers return home do a pair of conference games next weekend against Ferris State.

Start times are 7:37 p.m. on Friday night and 7:07 p.m. on Saturday