Thunderbirds improve to 3-2

The effort was better but the Soo Thunderbirds know they will need to continue to improve.

After a 5-2 loss to the Elliot Lake Wildcats on Sunday evening, the Thunderbirds were looking for, and received, a better effort in a 6-1 win over the Blind River Beavers in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action on Tuesday night.

Opening up a 4-0 lead through one period pace the Thunderbirds to the victory.

“The effort was a lot better than it was (Sunday) and it’s a good step,” said Thunderbirds Coach Jordan Smith. “Tomorrow we’ll have a tougher test heading to Sudbury but it’s a good opportunity to take another step further and build on what we started here.”

The win comes 24 hours ahead of their first road game of the new season as they travel to Sudbury to take on the Nickel Barons on Wednesday night.

Nic Sicoly led the way offensively for the Thunderbirds on Tuesday night with a goal and two assists in the win. Jaren Bellini, Anthony Miller and Nicolas Tassone added a goal and an assist each for the Thunderbirds. Matthew Murray and Matt Pinder also had goals for the Thunderbirds.

Goaltender Mario Culina stopped 26 shots for the Thunderbirds.

Smith spoke highly of the Beavers following the game and of their improvement over opening night when they Thunderbirds beat Blind River 12-1.

“They were a lot better,” Smith said. “Their compete level was high and that’s a testament to them, having such a short bench. It’s clear that Donnie has got the guys playing and there’s no surprise there.”

Chris Corgan had the lone goal for Blind River on Tuesday night while goaltender Nick Kazmierczak stopped 26 shots.

“I was pleased with our effort level and our positional discipline for the second and third periods,” said Beavers coach Don Gagnon. “In the first period we didn’t play, aside from the first five minutes, the way we wanted to. We let it get away from us and they scored a couple of goals.”

After Wednesday’s road game in Sudbury, the Thunderbirds return home for a pair of games on the weekend when they host Elliot Lake and Kirkland Lake.