Thunderbirds open homestand on sour note

It was a tough way to open a three-game homestand for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Soo Thunderbirds on Friday night.

A goal in the final minute of the second period was ultimately the difference as the Thunderbirds dropped a 3-2 decision to the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners Friday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Tyler Fyfe scored his 19th goal of the season with 43 seconds to go in the second period to give the Gold Miners a 3-1 lead at the time and the visitors would hold off the Thunderbirds in the final 20 minutes.

Fyfe finished the night with a goal and two assists while Marshal Nikitin chipped in with two goals and an assist to pace the Gold Miners offensively. Gregory Trudeau-Paquet assisted on all three Kirkland Lake goals.

Braden Robbins and Camaryn Baber completed the scoring for the Thunderbirds, who fall to 14-7-2-0.

Thunderbirds netminder Eric Schuch stopped 22 shots while his counterpart, Kirkland Lake’s Ryan Winter, made 25 saves.

The Gold Miners record improves to 12-8-3-1.

The Thunderbirds homestand continues on Saturday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre against the Rayside Balfour Canadians. The team will wrap up the weekend on Sunday night, also at home, against the Elliot Lake Wildcats. Puck drop for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.