Smith paces Thunderbirds heading into Christmas

A four-goal third period lifted the Soo Thunderbirds to a 7-4 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory over the French River Rapids on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Nick Smith scored twice in the final period to help pace the Thunderbirds to the victory. Smith enters the Christmas break with 26 goals.

Defenceman Robert Calisti chipped in with a goal and two assists for the Thunderbirds.

Alex Acosta, Lucas Theriault, Brendan Miller and Kaidan McDonald chipped in with a goal and an assist each. Steven Bellini, Braden Robbins and Camaryn Baber assisted on a pair of goals each for the home team.

Goaltender Eric Schuch stopped 27 shots for the Thunderbirds.

Jacob Romano had a goal and an assist for French River. Christian Gaudreau set up two goals.

Levi Siau, Alex Paul, and Adam Kusior had the other French River goals. 

French River goaltender Andrew Rocha stopped 18 shots.

The Thunderbirds entered Saturday’s game on the heels of a 5-4 loss on home ice to the Blind River Beavers on Friday night.

The Beavers scored a pair of goals in the final two minutes of regulation time to pick up the win. 

Dylan McMahon scored with 1:57 to go in the third to tie the game before Caleb Serre scored with game-winning goal for the Beavers at 19:27.

McMahon had a pair of goals while Serre chipped in with a goal and an assist for Blind River. Max Khull and Jack Sampson assisted on a pair of goals each. Owen Robinson and Jack Rudin had the other goals for Blind River.

Beavers netminder Michael Corson made 30 saves.

Nick Smith had a goal and two assists for the Thunderbirds. Camaryn Baber added a goal and an assist. Alex Acosta and Mark Tassone also scored for the home team.

Goaltender Brandon Gordon made 30 saves.

The Thunderbirds enter the Christmas break with a 24-8-2-0 record.

The team returns to action on Jan. 5 on the road in Kirkland Lake against the Gold Miners in the opening game of a three-game road trip.