Skip to content

Nine straight for Thunderbirds

The Soo Thunderbirds remain hot as the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs approach
Hockey Ref
Stock photo

The Soo Thunderbirds will go into weekend Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action with a nine-game winning streak.

The run was extended thanks to a 7-2 win over the Rayside Balfour Canadians on Tuesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

“We had a good start and we carried a majority of the momentum,” said Thunderbirds Coach Jordan Smith. “It’s nice to see that we can generate seven (goals) by doing the right things. That’s the message going forward is to keep good habits every day.”

Matthew Caruso had two goals and two assist for the Thunderbirds.

“He loves to score and he’s our leader. He never takes a shift off,” Smith said. “You can’t ask for much more from him day in and day out and it was nice to see him get rewarded.”

Zach Senecal chipped in with a goal and two assists. Austin Kozluk and Keegan Stevenson had a goal and an assist each. Mike Winn and Keenan Eddy also scored while Greg Smith and Ryan Mulligan assisted on two goals each.

Goaltender Dougie Newhouse stopped 23 shots.

“He’s been good,” Smith said of Newhouse. “He’s definitely improved throughout the season.”

Matthew Neault and Evan Krassey scored for Rayside. Goaltender Cameron Lamour made 34 saves.

The Thunderbirds improve to 40-11-1-1 while Rayside's record falls to 27-23-1-1.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Friday night in the opener of a home-and-home set with the Soo (Mich.) Eagles at Pullar Stadium on the south side of the International Bridge. The two teams then wrap up the set at the Essar Centre on Saturday night.


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
Read more