Thunderbirds winning streak extended

Since falling to 2-2 after a pair of losses to the Sudbury Nickel Barons and Elliot Lake Wildcats early on in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season, the Soo Thunderbirds have reeled off four straight wins to improve to 6-2.

The Thunderbirds winning streak continued on Sunday afternoon as they defeated the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 7-1 at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Similarly to Saturday nights game against the Elliot Lake Wildcats, a win in which the Thunderbirds scored three times in the second period en route to a 4-2 win, the Thunderbirds had another big second period in Sunday’s win.

With a 1-0 lead heading into the middle frame, the Thunderbirds scored four times in the second period in Sunday’s win, a period in which the locals outshot Kirkland Lake 19-7.

Matt Pinder, who finished the night with three goals and two assists, scored a pair of tallies in the second period. Eric Hillock and Matthew Mitchell also scored in the second period for the Thunderbirds.

Nic Sicoly and Nathan Hebert also scored in the win. Hebert set up four goals in the win. Mitchell set up a pair of goals for the Thunderbirds.

Goaltender Brian Kment stopped 24 shots for the Thunderbirds.

Luke Soares had the lone goal for the Gold Miners in the loss. Kenny Fitzgerald got the start for Kirkland Lake and stopped 15 shots before being pulled after the fourth Thunderbirds goal. Danny Debastos stopped 10 shots the rest of the way.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Wednesday night when they host the Blind River Beavers in a 7:30 p.m. start at the John Rhodes Community Centre.