Thunderbirds pick up eighth win

The Soo Thunderbirds continue to sit atop the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division after opening a home-and-home weekend series with the Soo (Mich.) Eagles.

The Thunderbirds opened the weekend with a 3-1 victory over the Eagles at Pullar Stadium Friday.

Goaltender Nathan Warren stopped 30 shots for the Thunderbirds while Drake Pilon had a goal and an assist in the victory.

Matthew Bubsy and Matthew Mitchell also scored for the Thunderbirds Friday.

Eagles goaltender Jack Hickey stopped 40 shots.

Ryan Morse had the lone goal for the Eagles.

The Thunderbirds improve to 8-1 and hold a six-point lead atop NOJHL’s West Division and hold the top record in the league.

The Eagles drop to 1-5-0-1.

The two teams are back in action Saturday night as the weekend set shifts to the Essar Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.

In other action around the NOJHL on Friday night, the Powassan Voodoos remain unbeaten after a 9-3 victory over the Espanola Express in Espanola; the Cochrane Crunch beat the Blind River Beavers 7-3 in Cochrane; the Elliot Lake Wildcats beat the French River Rapids 5-0 and the Timmins Rock beat the Rayside Balfour Canadians 8-2.