Thunderbirds remain unbeaten at home

Success on home ice continues for the Soo Thunderbirds.

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League team held on for an 8-5 victory on Friday night over the Soo (Mich.) Eagles to improve to a league-best 5-0 on home-ice.

Matthew Caruso had two goals and an assist while Austin Kozluk also scored a pair of goals for the Thunderbirds. Aaron Wesley-Chisel and Jake Reed assisted on four goals each while Kaidan McDonald and Mark Tassone had a goal and an assist each. Ryan Waterhouse and Jake Behse had the other Thunderbirds goals.

Soo Greyhounds draft pick Dougie Newhouse got the start for the Thunderbirds, stopping 29 shots in the win.

Rhett Rampinelli had two goals and an assist to lead the Eagles offensively. Jacob Palmerio and Tait Aptakin chipped in with a goal and an assist each. Jake Saxton also scored. William Casey assisted on two goals for the Eagles.

Sean Angle got the start in goal for the Eagles but was pulled after surrendering six goals on 14 shots. Justyn Gillis came in and stopped 10 of 11 shots in the second half of the game.

The Thunderbirds now sit at 7-1 while the Eagles drop to 2-6-1.

The two teams return to action on Saturday night as the home-and-home series concluded at Pullar Stadium on the Michigan side of the International Bridge.