Weekend opens in tough fashion for Thunderbirds

To say the weekend opened in disappointing fashion for the Soo Thunderbirds would be an understatement.

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League club surrendered seven unanswered goals, including four in the second period, in a 7-1 loss to the Soo (Mich.) Eagles at Pullar Stadium on Friday night.

Sault, Ont. product Austin Rowe scored four times, including three in the middle frame, to pace the Eagles offensively.

Matt Capisciolto chipped in with a goal and an assist while C.J. Banser also scored for the Eagles. Brendan Blair assisted on three goals. Mikey Butcher and Jake Saxton added two assists each for the Eagles.

Carter McPhail made 20 saves for the Eagles.

Braden Robbins had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds. Goaltender Brandon Gordon made 32 saves.

The loss drops the Thunderbirds record to 30-13-1-2 and the team falls into second in the NOJHL’s West Division after the Blind River Beavers picked up a win Friday to jump into top spot in the division. The Thunderbirds trail the Beavers by a single point in the standings but have three games in hand.

The Eagles improve to 29-16-0-1.

The two teams meet again on Saturday night in the second game of a home-and-home set. Puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre is 7:30 p.m.