Thunderbirds fall in shootout

A busy weekend of action wrapped up on a tough note for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds on Sunday.

Playing with a short bench due to injuries, the Thunderbirds dropped a 1-0 shootout decision to the Rayside-Balfour Canadians in Chelmsford.

After a rash of injuries following their home-and-home series with the Soo (Mich.) Eagles that wrapped up Saturday night, the Thunderbirds played Sunday’s contest with 14 skaters that included a trio of call ups.

Giordano Biondi has the shootout winner for Rayside on Sunday night.

Goaltender Sebastian Plamondon stooped all 26 shots he faced and all three Thunderbirds shooters in the shootout.

Thunderbirds goaltender William Anderson made 44 saves.

The Thunderbirds fall to 23-6-0-1 while Rayside improves to 18-11-1-2.

The Thunderbirds were missing Gage Stephney, Noah Boman, Nick Smith, and Tyler Malpass due to injury on Sunday while four other players missed the game due to suspensions.

Smith’s injury occurred following a hit by Soo Eagles forward Brett Morich on Saturday night. Lucas Rothe was initially given a penalty on the play but Morich has since been suspended for the hit. The play is under review by the league.

Matthew Bazarin (11 of 13), Tristan Cicchello (two of three), Brendan Miller (one of three), and Kaidan McDonald (under review) are serving suspensions and missed Sunday’s game.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Dec. 14 at home against the French River Rapids. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is set for 7 p.m.