The Soo Thunderbirds gave up a pair of goals in the second period in a tough loss to the Espanola Express on Wednesday night at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
Zachary Matyasik’s goal at 6:07 of the second period was the eventual game-winning goal as the Express picked up a 3-1 win over the Thunderbirds in Wednesday’s lone Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League game.
Zach Trempner had Espanola’s other goal in the second period, a goal that would chase Thunderbirds starting goaltender Dakota Meyer from the game.
Diego Pasula had the other goal for Espanola in the win.
Express goaltender Joel Rainville stopped 35 shots, including 16 in the third period.
Meyer surrendered three goals on 17 shots. Sam Evola entered the game and stopped all 14 shots he faced the rest of the way.
Cooper Smyl had the lone goal for the Thunderbirds.
The Thunderbirds fall to 21-14-2-3 with the loss.
The team sits in third in the NOJHL’s West Division with 47 points, two points ahead of the Soo (Mich.) Eagles.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Friday night on the road against the Elliot Lake Wildcats.
Wednesday’s win improves Espanola’s record to 11-21-3-1.
It’s been a busy stretch on the trade front for the Thunderbirds of late.
Prior to the Christmas break, the Thunderbirds dealt veteran forward Matthew Bazarin to the Ontario Junior League’s Burlington Cougars and acquired defenceman Jordan Broome from the Stayner Siskins of the Provincial Junior League.
Following the break, the team dealt veteran forward Nick Smith to the Greater Ontario League’s Leamington Flyers and defenceman Kevin Parra-Vaughan to the Provincial Junior League’s Delta Ice Hawks.
The team has also acquired defenceman Jacob Boucha from the NOJHL’s Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.