T-Birds drop a pair of exhibition contests

While the rest of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League were playing in their season openers, the Soo Thunderbirds were continuing to tune up for their first regular season contest.

Hosting a pair of games at the John Rhodes Community Centre, the Thunderbirds entertained a strong Fort William North Stars squad from Thunder Bay, which only lost two games last season, will host this year's Dudley-Hewitt Cup, are the two-time defending Superior Junior Hockey League champions and are returning nine players this year.

On Friday night, the North Stars doubled up the Thunderbirds 4-2 before scoring a 6-3 win on Saturday afternoon.

Adam Kauppi and Kyle Rodgers each recorded a goal and an assist in the loss on Friday while Soo Greyhounds draft pick Michael Quesnele lit up the scoreboard with all three T-Birds goals on Saturday, twice being set up by Tyler Gendron.

The Thunderbirds will officially open their portion of the NOJHL schedule on Wednesday as they travel to the Big Bear Arena in the Michigan Sault to face the Northern Michigan Black Bears at 7:30 p.m.

The home opener for the T-Birds is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Rhodes against the Blind River Beavers.