Birds, Eagles hit the Rhodes
The famed Twin Soo rivalry, aka the Border Battle, is set up for another installment with the Soo Thunderbirds and Soo Eagles facing off in the second round of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoffs.
Games 1 and 2 of the series are set for Thursday and Saturday of this week at John Rhodes Community Centre.
The Thunderbirds, first-place finishers in the West Division during the regular season, are the two-time reigning NOJHL champions.
The Eagles, who finished in fourth place, are fresh from a 2-1 series win over the Elliot Lake Wildcats in a preliminary round playoff set.
Following is the schedule for the best-of-seven Twin Soo series.
Game 1: Thursday, March 16 @ Thunderbirds 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 2: Saturday, March 18 @ Thunderbirds 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 3: Wednesday, March 22 @ Eagles 7 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
Game 4: Friday, March 24 @ Eagles 7:30 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
Game 5*: Saturday, March 25 @ Thunderbirds 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 6*: Monday, March 27 @ Eagles 7 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
Game 7*: Wednesday, March 29 @ Thunderbirds 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
* if necessary.
Does this mean the T-Birds won’t be playing at the Essar Centre anymore?
Correct.
That will be much better for the Thunderbirds. I kinda found the Essar to be very empty during games and Rhodes will be a better fit.
Dont like to criticize the refs . Watched last night at the pullar the refereeing to me was a little shaky for both teams . Penalties determined some of the out come of the game. Going to need good refs for this series coming up . Will probably be a lot of high emotions from both teams. But thats up to the players to control as well as the refs. Should be a barn burner series anyway.