By Matt Stefano
Friday the Soo Thunderbirds Midgets began their first game of a three game home series against the Nickel City Sons and were without head coach Jim Capy, but was a high scoring thriller as the fans in attendance were treated to a last goal wins type of game.
Brendan Gillis opened the scoring with his twenty third at 2:23 from Brad Thrower and Zach Senecal to put the Soo up 1-0. 1:10 later it would be Matt MacKay getting his thirteenth from Jakob Porco to add to the Soo’s lead. Tristan Simeoni’s sixth at 11:33 from Joel Grandbois and Mitchal Payette cut the Soo’s lead to one. Jared Fanti’s seventh of the season on the power play with just 1:18 left in the first from Zach Senecal gave the T-Birds a 3-1 lead after one.
Joel Grandbois’ shorthanded goal and twentieth of the season unassisted just 1:05 in, cut the T-Birds lead to one. Jared Fanti’s second goal of the game on the power play and eighth of the season would put the Soo up 4-2 at 3:26 from Brad Thrower and Jonathan Dyer. Joel Grandbois would then get his twenty first of the season and second of the game on the power play to cut the lead to 4-3 at 10:35 from Mitchal Payette and Tylar Read. The Thunderbirds would restore a two goal lead thanks to Jason Bednarski’s fourth at 10:55 from Matt MacKay and Jakob Porco. Brendan Gillis’ second of the night and twenty fourth of the season at 11:34 gave the Soo a 6-3 lead after two from Zach Senecal and Jared Fanti.
Specialty teams played a big role in the third allowing the Sons to climb back in thanks to three straight power play goals by Brayden Henri at 6:14, Makenzie MacMillan at 6:27 and 7:49 which tied things up at six. Zach Senecal’s sixteenth of the season and fourth point of the night put the Soo ahead 7-6 at 12:34 from Jared Fanti. Makenzie MacMillan completed the natural hat trick at 16:32 from Mathieu Quenville to tie the game at seven after regulation.
Overtime solved nothing as the fans were then treated to a sudden death shootout with the Soo coming out on top as they defeated the Nickel City Sons 8-7. Joey Roberts was in goal for the T-Birds victory.
Tonight’s game between the T-Birds and Sons had also makes the highest scoring Great North Midget League game if the season involving both teams with fifteen goals combined.
The Soo will continue action on Saturday, January 17th vs the Nickel City Sons at 6:00 from the John Rhodes.
