The Algoma Thunderbirds basketball teams open their seasons this weekend, looking for their first win against rival Northern Ontario team, the Laurentian Voyageurs.
Due to the temporary closure of the George Leach Centre, this weekend’s home opener games have had to be rescheduled. Instead of opening the season at the GLC against the Voyageurs on Friday and the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday, Algoma will instead host Laurentian at Sault College on Sunday, and the scheduled matches against Nipissing have been postponed to a later date.
On Sunday, the women tip-off against the Lady Vees at 6:30pm, followed by the men at 8:30pm. Fans planning to attend Sunday’s games will be treated to a full day of basketball, as Sault College plays Cambrian College at 2:00pm and 4:00pm. Thunderbirds fans will enjoy free entrance to both Algoma U games, and free parking at Sault College in J South Lot, which is accessible from either Willow or Northern Avenues.
The Lady Vees posted a 4-18 record in the 2013-14 season, while the men’s Sudbury squad posted a 12-10 record. Algoma’s women’s team went winless in 2013-14, while the men finished with at 5-17. With a new four-division make-up in the OUA, Algoma now plays in the OUA West division, while Laurentian plays in the OUA North.
Saturday’s game against the Nipissing Lakers has been postponed until Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 1:00pm and 3:00pm at the GLC. To accommodate this postponement, the games against Lakehead University on Saturday, January 24, 2015 have been rescheduled for Friday, January 23, 2015 at 6:00pm and 8:00pm in Thunder Bay.
“Unfortunately, the ongoing construction at the GLC has affected our varsity athletics schedule,” said Athletics and Recreation Director, Mark Kontulainen. “I am pleased that we were able to modify the schedule in a way that was acceptable for all teams. We would like to thank Sault College, Laurentian U, Nipissing U, Lakehead U, and the OUA for being understanding and so accommodating during this time. We are very excited to host Nipissing U and the rest of our OUA opponents in our newly renovated facilities in the New Year.”
For more information on the Thunderbirds, including schedules and rosters, please visit www.algomathunderbirds.ca.
