15 goals for Nick Smith
He has hands of silk and a nose for the net. Soo Thunderbirds second-year forward Nick Smith is evolving into a goal-scoring machine.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound forward with the 1999 birth date has taken over the goal-scoring lead in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
A local product, Smith scored five goals to power the Thunderbirds to a 12-1 decision over the visiting Espanola Express before a Wednesday gathering of 63 — that is correct, 63 — spectators at John Rhodes Community Centre.
Smith now has 15 goals in 17 outings this season for the Thunderbirds, who have won seven straight games to improve their record to 13-3-1.
As a rookie in 2016-2017, Smith scored 11 goals in 47 regular season games.
PHOTO: Nick Smith, with a game puck from his five-goal outing.
Its a shame no matter where you are playing, to have 63 fans in attendance.
And regarding a first place team, it’s rather shocking and down right atrocious.
I hope for the sake of the league, the Soo and the players that they can add a couple hundred or so to that total a little more often.
Cheers RR!
How to go nick . Keep it going ..
Randy:
Perhaps the TBirds would get more fans out to the games if Management promoted the Team and the Games instead of covering the windows upstairs in the Rhodes Centre so people cant watch from the Pool Area or the window outside the Sports Bar. What the F— is that all about? Is that how the Mgmt of this Team are trying to attract Fans … by shutting them out ??? Instead of using their energy on covering the windows so folks can’t get a “FREE” peak at the Team perhaps Mgmt can use that energy to promote the Team . Covering the windows so people cant peek through and catch a glimspe of the game is about as Bush League as it gets. Just my 2.3 cents worth as a long time supporter of the TBirds.
The Zoo Birds could use a lessen in “Marketing 101” from the Soo Eagles.
I think the topic or comments is about Nick’s good playing right now. The attendance problem might be address in another sports news story.
I am 100 % in agreement with the comments that were made by “T-Bird Supporter” — — the Owner (Mr. Smyll?) of the Soo Thunderbirds is not only “turning away” fans but he is “turning them off” from wanting to support his team in any way shape or form. I do not ever recall there being only 63 Fans at a Thunderbirds Game. Not even when they were playing them real bad old Manitoulin teams in the bitter cold of Winter.