Coming off back-to-back victories to open the 2026–2027 Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) season in Hearst against the Lumberjacks, the 2–0 Soo Thunderbirds returned home on Friday, September 18th for their home opener as they welcomed their cross-border rivals, the 1–0 Soo Eagles, to the ice.
The Thunderbirds wasted little time setting the tone in front of their home crowd, scoring four times in the opening period to build a commanding 4–0 lead.
Just 2:24 into the first period, Landon Hill opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, with Felix Sapay and Grady Jalbert picking up the assists.
The Thunderbirds continued their offensive pressure just over two minutes later. At 4:31, Andrew Warne scored his first goal of the campaign to make it 2–0. Sean Gresko and Gavin Killoran were credited with the assists.
At 9:53, Jackson Mead added to the Thunderbirds’ lead, scoring his second goal of the season to make it 3–0. Adam Pszeniczny and Owen Murphy recorded the assists.
The Thunderbirds weren’t finished in the opening frame. With just over four minutes remaining in the period, Hill found the back of the net for the second time on the night at 15:41, giving the Thunderbirds a 4–0 advantage. Sapay picked up his second assist of the game on the goal.
Thunderbirds Extend Their Lead
The Thunderbirds carried their momentum into the second period, adding another goal just 1:08 after the opening faceoff.
Pszeniczny scored his first goal of the season to push the Thunderbirds’ lead to 5–0. Vincent Bondy and Frankie Reda assisted on the goal.
The Eagles would finally get on the scoreboard at 8:59 of the second period when Samuel Gold scored his first of the season while shorthanded, cutting the Thunderbirds’ lead to 5–1.
Despite the Eagles getting on the board, the Thunderbirds maintained control heading into the final period.
Thunderbirds Put the Game Away
The Thunderbirds wasted little time restoring their five-goal advantage in the third.
At 1:33, Gresko scored his fourth goal of the season, unassisted, to make it 6–1.
Pszeniczny then added his second goal of the night at 13:13, scoring shorthanded and extending the Thunderbirds’ lead to 7–1.
With just 1:59 remaining in regulation, Dreyon Boissoneau capped off the scoring at 18:01, finding the back of the net on the power play. Murphy picked up the assist as the Thunderbirds completed the 8–1 victory.
Boville Strong in Net
Thunderbirds goaltender Cam Boville turned aside 24 of the 25 shots he faced to backstop his team to its third consecutive victory to begin the season.
For the Eagles, Dalton Hoornstra and Daryn Szabo combined to make 33 saves on 41 Thunderbirds shots.
With the 8–1 victory, the Soo Thunderbirds improve to 3–0 to begin the 2026–2027 NOJHL season and continue their strong start following their two road victories in Hearst.
The Thunderbirds will have little time to celebrate, as they return to action on Saturday, September 19th, when they host the visiting Elliot Lake Vikings. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Soo Eagles will have several days to regroup before returning to action on Friday, September 25th, when they host the Blind River Beavers at Pullar Stadium in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. That contest is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m start.
