Thunderbirds winning streak snapped

The Soo Thunderbirds four-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night.

Playing with a short bench due to injuries and suspensions, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League club dropped a 2-0 decision to the Espanola Paper Kings Saturday at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Espanola goaltender Jake Marois turned into the difference in the game as the Paper Kings netminder stopped 55 shots for the shutout, including 20 in the third period with the visitors up by a pair of goals.

Espanola jumped out to a lead early on thanks to a goal by Owen Fergusson just under three minutes into the contest and the high-scoring forward added some insurance in the final minute of the second period with a power play marker.

The two-goal night gives Fergusson 30 goals on the season.

Lucas Signoretti assisted on both Espanola goals.

Thunderbirds goaltender Kolton Bourret stopped 30 shots in the loss.

With the loss, the Thunderbirds fall to 27-13-2-1 on the season and sit third in the NOJHL’s West Division.

Espanola improves to 27-17-0-0. The Paper Kings pull to within three points of the Thunderbirds in the standings as well, but the Sault has a game in hand.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Feb. 9 in the front end of a home-and-home weekend series against the Blind River Beavers. The teams will open the weekend Friday night in the Sault in a 7 p.m. start at the John Rhodes Community Centre before traveling to Blind River the following night.