Veterans come through for Thunderbirds

Veteran defenceman Tristan Cicchello played a major role in the Soo Thunderbirds picking up a key divisional victory on Thursday night at home.

The 17-year-old set up the game-tying goal with 1:31 to go in regulation time before scoring the game-winning goal 1:40 into overtime as the Soo Thunderbirds picked up a 5-4 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League win over the Blind River Beavers Thursday at the John Rhodes Community Centre. It was the first game of a home-and-home series for the two clubs.

Kaidan McDonald had two goals and an assist for the Thunderbirds with his second of the night tying the game in the late stages of the third period.

Thanks to a big night, Lucas Theriault remains in a battle for the NOJHL scoring lead. With four assists on Thursday, Theriault sits in a tie for second with Blind River’s Caleb Serre with 32 points.

The pair sit one point behind Cade Herd of Powassan.

Serre was held off the scoresheet by the Thunderbirds on Thursday.

Nic Smith assisted on three goals for the Thunderbirds. Noah Boman, who is also among the NOJHL scoring leaders, chipped in with a goal and an assist for the Thunderbirds. Steven Bellini had the other Sault goal.

Goaltender Colin Ahern stopped 18 shots for the Thunderbirds.

Riley Nadeau had a goal and two assists for the Beavers. Ryan Peck and Nash Hatcher had a goal and an assist each for Blind River while Brendan Young also scored.

Beavers goaltender Garret Boyonoski stopped 30 shots.

The Thunderbirds improve to 16-5-0-0 with the win and remain atop the NOJHL’s West Division standings. Blind River drops to 12-8-4-0.

The two teams wrap up their home-and-home set on Saturday night in Blind River.