T-Birds off to Wisconsin after NOJHL win

NEWS RELEASES

SOO THUNDERBIRDS

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T-Birds Down Islanders 4-1

Despite a slow start and looking like they were feeling the effects of their Winnipeg trip, the Thunderbirds came together and did what they had to do to get the victory.

Jake Reid, who was the game's first star, led the way with 2 goals and an assist. Tyler Lannigan contributed a short-handed empty netter to go along with his two helpers. Zac McNally had the other Thunderbird goal. Dylan King, Brett Perlini and Nick Minardi all had single assists. Ryan Dube stopped 21 of 22 shots and was the game's third star.

The Thunderbirds now travel to Wisconsin for a pair of exhibition games against NCAA Division 3 schools in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. The first game is Thursday Oct 19, 7 pm against Lawrence University in Appleton Wisconsin. On Friday Oct 20 the Thunderbirds travel to Fon Du Lac, Wisconsin where they will be taking on Marion College with a 4 pm puck drop.

Next NOJHL action is Sun. Oct. 22 when the Birds fly south across the bridge to take on the Soo Indians. Next home game is Wed Oct 25 when they host the Blind River Beavers in game two of the old format of the Carmen Provenzano Cup.

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Thunderbirds Finish Manitoba Showcase With Win, Loss & Tie

After beating the Swan Valley Stampeders 7-6 on Friday night, the Soo Thunderbirds finished out the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase tournament with a tie and a loss.

Saturday's match-up against the Neepawa Natives was a penalty filled affair that ended in a 6-6 tie. Tyler Gendron led the T-Birds with his 2 goal, 2 assist performance. Zak McNally and Brett Perlini each had a marker and 2 helpers. Matt Conway chipped in with a goal and an assist. Jacob Muzzin scored the other Soo goal while Nick Minardi and Tyler Lannigan each help set up 2 goals. Kyle Johnson added a lone assist. Ryan Dube was outstanding stopping 56 of 62 shots.

In Sunday’s contest, the Thunderbirds lost to the Dauphin Kings 5-3 despite out-shooting them 43-24. Scoring for the T-Birds were Brett Perlini, Kyle Johnson and Tyler Lannigan. Perlini added a helper with single assists going to Tyler Gendron, Jacob Muzzin, Adam Pyymaki, Nick Minardi and Matt Conway. Travis O’Brien went the distance stopping 19 of 24 shots.

Playing against the Swan Valley Stampeders, the Soo came up with 5 power play goals on 13 chances to defeat the Stampeders 7-6. Kyle Johnson led the team with 3 goals and a helper. Brett Perlini added 4 assists while Jake Reid and Tyler Gendron each had a goal and an assist. Also scoring for the Birds were Nick Minardi and Adam Pyymaki. Single helpers went to Andy McMillan, Matt Conway, Zac McNally and Jacob Muzzin. Travis O’Brien went the distance stopping 47 of 53 shots.

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T-Birds Beat Fort William in Shootout

After a day long bus ride to Thunder Bay, the Thunderbirds shook off their bus legs and defeated the Fort William North Stars 4-3 in a shootout. The T-Birds took on Fort William in the exhibition match Wednesday night while enroute to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase Tournament in Winnipeg. The T-Birds outshot the North Stars 43-33. Ryan Dube between the pipes for the Birds and did a great job in stopping all 4 of Fort Williams shootout attempts. Tyler Gendron, Jacob Muzzin (on loan from the Greyhounds), and recently signed Rob Johnson scored for the Thunderbirds. Kyle Johnson and Nick Minardi scored for the Soo during the shootout.

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(A photo gallery from Friday's win over Manitoulin will be added)