Thunderbirds, Greyhounds midgets pick up Sunday wins

A low-scoring affair saw the Soo Thunderbirds goaltending come up big to wrap up the first weekend of Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League regular season action on Sunday.

A 26-save performance, including 16 stops in the second period, by netminder Brandon Gordon lifted the Thunderbirds to a 1-0 victory over the Timmins Rock at the McIntyre Community Centre.

With the win, the Thunderbirds grab four of a possible six points on the weekend trip that began in Hearst on Friday night.

Nick Smith’s goal at 7:24 of the second period was the eventual game-winner.

Next action for the Thunderbirds will be Friday night against the Blind River Beavers in a 7:30 p.m. puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre as the Thunderbirds open the home portion of its schedule.

Meanwhile, Caleb Wood had the overtime winner on Sunday as the Great North Midget League’s Soo Greyhounds beat the Kapuskasing Flyers 7-6 to finish the weekend with two wins in three games against the Flyers.

Parker Morgan had two goals and an assist while Jonathan Mackin had a goal and two assists for the Greyhounds. Wood and Nick Jameus had a goal and an assist each while Avery Rebek and Caden King assisted on two goals each. Colby Arbour and Raf Praysner also had goals for the Greyhounds.

Jacob Comeau paced the Flyers with three goals and an assist.

On Saturday night, the Greyhounds skated to a 4-1 win on the strength of goals by Jameus, Rebek, Arbour and Camden Findlay.

Kapuskasing took the weekend opener on Friday night, beating the Greyhounds 4-1. Rebek had the lone goal for the locals.

The Greyhounds return to action on Wednesday night at home against the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves.