By Matt Stefano
After losing their third straight game on Sunday afternoon by a score of 8-1 in Timmins, the Soo Thunderbirds were looking to get back on the winning track on Tuesday night in Sudbury as they took part in Day 1 of the NOJHL Showcase.
This marked a road game for the T-Birds against the Elliot Lake Wildcats at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.
Tuesday also marked the NOJHL’s first Annual Showcase tournament, which saw all 12 teams in the league play games that count towards league standings.
It was also a night where more than 30 scouts were in attendance at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex, including some from NHL Central Scouting, NHL teams, NCAA, CIS and the OHL.
The T-Birds, who dropped four straight on the road, did not want to tie their team record from 2006-2007 when the lost five straight on the road.
The T-Birds finally got the monkey off their back on Tuesday night as they defeated the Elliot Lake Wildcats 2-1.
Zach Senecal found the back of the net both times on the night for the T-Birds, giving the Sooite his career-high 11th goal.
Senecal’s 11th goal of the season at the 5:03 mark of the second period, broke his previous high of 10 goals during his rookie season in 2015-2016.
Captain Matt Caruso had a big night offensively for the T-Birds with a pair of assists while Jake Reed and Alec Allen set up a goal each.
Jacob Kelly had the Wildcats lone goal with Taylor Woolcott picking up the only assist.
Wildcats goalie Matt Kostiw gave up 2 goals on 39 shots for the loss while Brandon Gordon made 17 saves for the T-Birds victory.
T-Birds will conclude the NOJHL Showcase on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. against the Espanola Express from the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.
This will count as a home game for the T-Birds.
(Photo of Zach Senecal credit to James Egan’s Sports Photography)
