Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
The Soo Thunderbirds continued their strong start to the 2026 NOJHL Showcase on Wednesday, October 7th, earning an entertaining 8-6 victory over the Timmins Rock in Sudbury.
The Thunderbirds entered the game coming off a 4-1 victory over the Powassan Voodoos on Tuesday, October 6th, while the Timmins Rock were looking to rebound after dropping an 8-5 decision to the St. Andrew College Saints earlier in the showcase.
What followed was a back-and-forth offensive battle that featured four lead changes and 14 combined goals.
The Thunderbirds opened the scoring just 1:02 into the game when Adam Pszeniczny scored his eighth goal of the season, with Jackson Mead picking up the lone assist.
Timmins answered at the 4:00 mark as Thomas Jaakkola scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Maxx Hamelin and Evan Katic.
The Thunderbirds regained the lead at 8:09 when Nicholas Carlson scored his sixth of the season, with Vincent Bondy recording the assist.
The Rock would tie the game again late in the opening period. Jakob Drobny scored his first of the season at 16:20, with Ben Climenhaga and Nolan Chabot assisting.
After 20 minutes, the teams were tied 2-2.
Second Period Turns Into a Shootout
The scoring continued early in the second period.
Just 56 seconds into the frame, Maxx Hamelin put the Rock in front 3-2 with his eighth goal of the season. Edan Etheridge and Ben Climenhaga assisted on the play.
The Thunderbirds responded at 4:14 when Drew Christian scored his sixth of the season, assisted by Frankie Reda.
At 8:26, the Thunderbirds regained the lead when Pszeniczny scored his second goal of the game and ninth of the season. Gavin Killoran picked up the assist.
Timmins answered again at 10:44, with Jaakkola scoring his second of the night and second of the season on the power play. Climenhaga and Tannen Iserhoff assisted.
The Rock then took a 5-4 lead at 15:52 when Evan Katic scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Hamelin.
With just 1:06 remaining in the second period, the Thunderbirds tied the game once again.
Killoran scored his third of the season on the power play at 18:54, with Mead and Reda recording the assists.
The teams headed to the second intermission tied 5-5 after another six-goal period.
Thunderbirds Pull Away in the Third
The Thunderbirds took control early in the third period.
At 3:02, Christian scored his second of the game and seventh of the season to give the Soo an early 6-5 lead. Dreyon Boissoneau picked up the assist.
The Thunderbirds extended their lead at 8:14 when Sean Gresko scored his seventh of the season, assisted by Felix Sapay.
With the Rock net empty late in the game, Vincent Bondy sealed the Thunderbirds’ victory at 18:02 by scoring his fourth of the season. Landon Hill assisted on the empty-net goal.
Timmins continued to battle and Ashton Beriana scored an unassisted shorthanded goal at 19:33 to make it 8-6, but the Rock could not complete the comeback.
The final horn sounded with the Thunderbirds earning an 8-6 victory.
Pszeniczny, Christian Lead Thunderbirds Offence
The Thunderbirds received two-goal performances from both Adam Pszeniczny and Drew Christian.
Pszeniczny scored twice, including the opening goal of the game, while Christian also found the back of the net twice.
Gavin Killoran added a goal and an assist, while Vincent Bondy recorded a goal and an assist.
Jackson Mead contributed two assists, while Frankie Reda picked up two assists.
For Timmins, Thomas Jaakkola scored twice, while Maxx Hamelin had a goal and two assists. Evan Katic added a goal and an assist.
Goaltending
Nathan Maguire made 19 saves on 25 shots for the Thunderbirds.
For the Rock, Ayden Mullen stopped 29 of 36 shots.
The loss marked Timmins’ second defeat of the 2026 NOJHL Showcase.
Coach Jarrett Talks to Saultsports After Back to Back Wins at Showcase
“The thing I continue to like out of our team is the consistent effort. Our leaders are doing a great job of showing the way and we’ve been rewarded. Everyone has a had a good mindset and willing to do the work. We didn’t adjust much. Unfortunately we’ve been hit by the injury bug on defence so we just focused on playing as a five man unit with and without the puck.”
“Cam Boville for sure in game one. Made some huge saves that kept our momentum. Continue to be impressed by our 2 09 dmen, Reda and Boissoneau. BONDY and van de ven have been a steady presence back there. Up front I thought killing and Murphy’s lines played some of the best hockey out of anyone all week.”
Thunderbirds Return Home Saturday
The Soo Thunderbirds will now return home following their two showcase victories.
The Thunderbirds will host the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners on Saturday, October 10th at the John Rhodes Centre.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Timmins Rock will return to action Friday, October 9th, hosting the Hearst Lumberjacks in Timmins. That game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m start.
