Up North and along Superior

By Randy Russon
February 17, 2022
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Here and there in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and the Superior International Jr. Hockey League:

• The latest instalment of the Border Battle was a one-sided stunner. Playing at home on Wednesday, the Soo Thunderbirds got two goals apiece from Michael Chaffay and Kenny Belanger and 18 saves from Noah Zeppa to cuff the Michigan Soo Eagles by a resounding 8-1 margin. The Thunderbirds are in first place in the West Division of the NOJHL with 51 points from a record of 23-5-5. The Eagles have 42 points from a 20-7-2 record and have four games in hand on the Thunderbirds.

• The top three scorers in the NOJHL are all members of East Division powerhouse Hearst Lumberjacks. Robbie Rutledge leads the league scoring parade with 29 goals, 22 assists, 51 points followed by teammates Zachary Demers at 9-40-49 and Raphael Lajeunesse at 16-28-44.

• Make that 16 straight wins for the Kam River Fighting Walleye. The Walleye on Wednesday scored a 4-3 road decision over the third place Dryden Ice Dogs to improve its first place standing in the SIJHL to 53 points from a record of 26-3-1. Kam River goalie Austin Madge made 37 saves to hike his record to 16-1-0 with a 2.09 goals against average and .939 save percentage. The two teams will meet again with Kam River home to Dryden on Sunday night at 7:30 and on Monday afternoon at 1:30 in a special Family Day matinee match.

• Maxime Collette of Dryden continues to lead the SIJHL scoring chart. The 20-year old forward has 30 goals, 19 assists, 49 points.