Thunderbirds win sixth straight

A three-goal opening period was the difference for the Soo Thunderbirds on Sunday evening.

The Thunderbirds wrapped up a weekend road trip Sunday in Chelmsford with a 3-1 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory over the Rayside Balfour Canadians.

After falling behind 1-0 on a goal by Chad Denault 3:23 into the contest, Keenan Eddy tied the game for the Thunderbirds 39 seconds later.

Ryan Waterhouse and Austin Kozluk the proceeded to score 38 seconds apart late in the opening frame to giver the Thunderbirds the lead and wrap up the scoring. Waterhouse finished the night with a goal and an assist while Kaidan McDonald assisted on a pair of Thunderbirds goals.

Thunderbirds netminder Doug Newhouse stopped 28 shots.

Rayside goaltender Cameron Lamour made 40 saves.

Winners of six-straight games, the Thunderbirds improve to 37-11-1-1 while Rayside falls to 25-22-3-1. Rayside sits three points behind the Soo Eagles for third in the NOJHL’s West Division as the regular season winds down.

The Thunderbirds now play five of its final six games on home ice, beginning on Wednesday night as the team hosts the Espanola Express in a 7 p.m. start at the John Rhodes Community Centre.