Thunderbirds open weekend action with loss

A weekend homestand opened on a sour note for the Soo Thunderbirds on Friday night.

A goal by Dawson Zahorian 9:06 into the third period was the difference as the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners beat the Thunderbirds 2-1 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action on Friday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Zahorian’s game-winner came off a faceoff win by Joshua Maine.

Maine dropped the puck back to Zahorian at the right point, who proceeded to beat Thunderbirds goaltender William Anderson through traffic to give the Gold Miners a lead they would not relinquish.

Kirkland Lake goaltender Dawson Robin made 31 saves and also assisted on the first Gold Miners goal.

Zahorian finished the night with a goal and an assist while Vinny DeSanctis had the other Kirkland Lake goal.

Brendan Miller had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds.

Anderson made 26 saves.

The Thunderbirds fall to 39-11-0-1 while Kirkland Lake, in a battle in the NOJHL’s East Division with Timmins for positioning, improves to 30-16-2-3.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Sunday night at home against the Espanola Express. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is set for 7 p.m.