Photo Bob Davies

With league leading 71 points, the west division first place (33-5-2-3) Soo Thunderbirds took to the ice at home in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario on Friday, March 18th to host the fourth place east division (12-30) Kirkland Lake Gold Miners in NOJHL action. The Thunderbirds had four players graduating prior to March 18th contest with Cole Delarosbil, Russell Oldham, Cole Arbour, and Alfred Rotiroti being acknowledged for the contribution their play with the Thunderbirds.

At 6:43 of the second period and on a powerplay, Thunderbird Kenny Belanger Jr picks up a loose puck in the Kirkland Lake crease to slide the opening goal past Gold Miner goaltender Keaton Lyons to give the Soo a 1 – 0 lead. Dharan Cap and Colby Arbour notched the helpers on Belanger’s 11th of the season. With 3:30 remaining in the game and the Soo on a five on three powerplay, Russell Oldham fires a pass to the front of the Gold Miner net to have Dharan Cap score his tenth of the season at the 16:30 mark of the third. Mason Chitaroni added the assist on Cap’s powerplay goal. Kirkland Lake’s Keaton Lyons turned away 27 of 29 shots in the 2 – 0 loss while Noah Metevier made 19 saves in his fourth shutout of the season and the Soo’s 14th straight win.

The Thunderbirds hit the road for a Sunday, March 20th afternoon matinee in Blind River for a 2:00 p.m start against the Beavers.