Thunderbirds sweep weekend set with Beavers

A home-and-home series between two of the top teams in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division saw the Soo Thunderbirds pick up a pair of key wins.

The Thunderbirds scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory over the Blind River Beavers Saturday night in Blind River as the Thunderbirds swept a weekend set between the two clubs.

Goaltender Eric Schuch made 30 saves for the Thunderbirds in Saturday’s win.

Tanner Mayne, Nick Smith and Braden King completed the scoring for the Thunderbirds.

Anthony Bastianello had the lone Blind River goal while Cam Burggrabe made 41 saves for the Beavers.

The weekend set opened Friday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre as the Thunderbirds picked up an 8-5 win over the visiting Beavers.

Camaryn Baber scored three times while Mark Tassone had two goals and two assists to pace the Thunderbirds in Friday’s victory. 

Smith chipped in with a goal and two assists while Lucas Theriault had a goal and an assist. Kaidan McDonald had the other Thunderbirds goal.

Brandon Gordon made 12 saves for the Thunderbirds.

Jack Sampson had three goals and two assists for the Beavers. Owen Robinson had a goal and an assist while Matthew Murray also scored for Blind River. Goaltender Garret Boyonoski made 29 saves.

The two victories move the Thunderbirds into a tie for top spot in the NOJHL’s West Division with the Rayside Balfour Canadians with 71 points each. With a record of 34-14-2-1, the Thunderbirds currently hold the tie-breaker between the two clubs with one more win.

The Thunderbirds wrap up the weekend on Sunday evening on the road as the team travels to Noelville to take on the French River Rapids.