T-Birds up three on Wildcats
A second-successive shutout has the reigning champion Soo Thunderbirds within one win of a spot in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League title series.
Playing at home on Wednesday, the Thunderbirds blanked the Elliot Lake Wildcats 5-0 backed by the shutout net-minding of backup goalie Brandon Gordon.
It was the second 5-0 win by the Thunderbirds over the Wildcats in a row and the Soo has now out-scored Elliot Lake 13-2 through three games.
The Thunderbirds lead the best-of-seven, West Division playoff series 3-0 and can sideline the Wildcats with a win in Elliot Lake on Friday night.
Captain Brett Jeffries paced the Thunderbirds to the Game 3 win with two goals and an assist.
Matt Mitchell also had a pair of markers for the Soo while rookie Zach Senecal chipped in with a goal and an assist and ageless veteran Joey Miller had a pair of helpers.
Meanwhile, in the East Division finals, Kirkland Lake Gold Miners hold a 2-1 lead in games over the Cochrane Crunch.
The OJHL think that Trenton has the Dudley locked up.
Soo hockey is second to none in Ontario IMHO.
Since this time last year, the T-Birds have graduated Culina, Headrick, Radke, Katchouk, Tassone, Sicoly, etc, and they are STILL the class of the league. Great coaching and managing deserve full recognition for pushing a very good Elliot Lake team to the brink for the second straight year.
The T-Birds are in a league of their own right now. Little bit surprised that they are having this easy of a time against the Cats. The old cow bells must sure be quiet in Elliot Lake 🙂 friendly jab.
I’d like to see Elliot Lake win the next 3 against the Soo, and end their reign of dynasty. The first NOJHL team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit.