Doucette derails the Express

Jacob Doucette is known more for being a defensive defenseman.

But the 19-year old defender got downright offensive on Thursday by netting a pair of goals and adding an assist as the Soo Thunderbirds scored a 5-2 home ice victory over the Espanola Express.

In 63 previous Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League games over parts of two seasons while playing for, ironically, Espanola, Doucette managed just one goal, nine assists, 10 points.

He now has two goals, two assists, four points in five games for the Thunderbirds this season.

In Thursday’s 5-2 triumph for the Thunderbirds, hustling rookie forward Ty Zachary, with his first NOJHL goal, captain Avery Rebek and Dylan Parsons all tallied for the Soo, which improved its record to 3-2-1 on the young season. The goal by Parsons was into an empty net.

Bradley Brunet and Cameron Walker replied for Espanola while fellow Ontario Hockey League draft pick Owen Willis was outstanding for the Express with 49 saves, several of them in acrobatic fashion.

Espanola showed some resolve by battling back from a 3-0 deficit at one point to narrow the Soo lead to 3-2 only to have the Thunderbirds make it 4-2 before the second period was over.

The Express then clearly carried the play in the third period only to be stymied time and time again by Thunderbirds goalie Alex Bugeja.

With its second straight road loss to the Soo this week, Espanola now has a record of 3-3-2.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday and Sunday in a pair of 2:00 afternoon starts at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex. Both games can be seen on HockeyTV.com.