Third period leads Thunderbirds to victory

As October approaches and the Soo Thunderbirds continue to add players, the team has shown an ability to make due with what’s already in place early on in the season.

A pair of goals in the third period was the difference as the short-staffed Thunderbirds beat the Iroquois Falls Eskis 5-3 on Sunday afternoon at the Essar Centre in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

Coming off a road game on Saturday night, the Thunderbirds dressed 16 skaters, two short of the maximum in the victory and the team has yet to ice a full lineup in seven games.

For the Thunderbirds, fatigue showed at times against the Eskis but the result was the important thing.

“Playing last night in Sudbury and having a quick turnaround today showed,” said Thunderbirds Coach Jordan Smith. “The boys looked a little sluggish and made a few uncharacteristic mistakes but all in all we battled hard and got the win. That’s all that really matters.”

Keenan Eddy and Zach Senecal scored just under two minutes apart in the third period to lead the Thunderbirds to the win. Jake Reed, Nick Smith and Mark Tassone also scored for the Thunderbirds. Jake Behse assisted on a pair of goals.

Brandon Gordon made 16 saves for the Thunderbirds.

David Osborne had a goal and two assists for the Eskis. Phil Caron and Jack Speer also scored while Wade Auger assisted on two goals. Goaltender Artem Bortovskiy made 38 saves.

Sunday’s win capped off a perfect weekend for the Thunderbirds after the team picked up a 3-0 win on the road against Rayside-Balfour in Chelmsford. Gordon made 23 saves for the shutout. Matthew Caruso, Keenan Eddy and Alec Allen scored for the Thunderbirds.

MacKenzie Savard made 33 saves for Rayside-Balfour.

The weekend sweep improves the Thunderbirds record to 6-1.

The team will have at least two more new faces in the lineup this week after a trio of trades over the past seven days.

Ryan Waterhouse, who was acquired along with Austin Kozluk in a trade with the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Aurora Tigers, is expected to join the team Monday. Kozluk suited up for the Thunderbirds in Sunday’s victory. The trade saw the Thunderbirds move Matt Busby and the rights to defenceman Dakotah Woods to Aurora.

Mike Winn was also brought in over the weekend from the British Columbia Hockey League’s Prince George Spruce Kings and is expected to join the team during the week. Winn has previous experience in the NOJHL after spending time last season with the Soo Eagles.

The other deal completed saw the Thunderbirds acquire Reed from the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Chatham Maroons. Reed suited up in both games over the weekend for the Thunderbirds.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Friday night at the Essar Centre in the opener of a home-and-home set against the Soo Eagles. Puck drop is 7 p.m. The game opens a weekend that sees the Thunderbirds face the Eagles in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. on Saturday before wrapping up the weekend with a home game against the Blind River Beavers.