Thunder to return to NOBHL after European experience

The Soo Thunder must now focus on the task of returning to the Northern Ontario Bantam Hockey League and taking a run toward the provincial championship.

After spending some time in Sweden and Finland over the holiday break, the Thunder will be back in action this weekend with an important three-game home set against the Onaping Falls Huskies at the Rankin Arena.

The two teams come into the series tied for first place in the NOBHL with 40 points each although the Thunder has three games in hand. In early December, the Thunder outscored the Huskies 17-6 in a three-game road sweep.

Both the Huskies and Thunder are on pace to shatter the NOBHL single-season record for most goals in a season, while any one of Nick Esposto from Onaping Falls or the Soo's Brett Thompson and Matt Amadio could make a run at the NOBHL points record.

Game times are 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday while Sunday's game starts at noon.

*** EUROPEAN TRIP RESULTS AND LOG:

The following report from the Thunder's trip to Sweden and Finland is written by head coach Ken Hruska. The informal report includes game results and activities from the experience.

Hello from Stockholm:

It is 12:15 am Friday morning Sweden time and we have just recently arrived back at he Hotel. We are staying in the Globen Hotel, Stockholm.

We began play at 10 am Thursday morning in our 5 game tournament.

Our first game was against Huddinge, who is currently in 1st place in the Stockholm Bantam # 1 division. We tied them 1-1. Scoring for us was Tyler Hawdon.

Game # 2 was vs. Stocksund, currently in 2nd place in the Stockholm Bantam #1 Division. Game time was 12 noon. We lost 4-1. Scoring for us was Drew MacMillan.

Game # 3 was at 2:30 pm vs our host, Norsborg IF. We won 11-0. Our goal scorers were Richard MacLennan with 4 goals, Mickey Sartoretto with 2 goals and Brett Thompson 2 goals. Matt Mesich, Greig Dear, Niclas Beaudoin all scored single goals. Shutout by Michael Doan.

Game # 4 vs Sodertalje, 3rd place in Stockholm # 1 Division, at 4:30 pm. We had to win by 2 goals to advance to Tournament final. We won 4-1. Scoring for us was MacMillan, MacLennan, Mickey Sartoretto and Matthew Amadio.

Played Final vs Stocksund at 8:15 pm and we lost 2-0. Won silver medal.

All games played at MaxiHall Arena and we were at the rink for the entire day. Very proud of boys effort for entire day.

Met billets last night and stayed with them.

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Hello everyone:

Arrived in Finland on Jan. 2nd after an all night cruise across the Baltic Sea. We arrived at hotel at 10 am and did not get into our rooms until 3pm. Boys were a a little tired.

Played that evening against Jokerit, 1st place in Finnish #1 division ( Bantam Major ). Tied 2-2. Dereck Hurley scored both goals.

Tuesday night played against HIFK 91, 2nd place in #1 Division. Lost 7-4. Brett Thompson scored 3 and Steven Burt 1. Our overall record over here stands at 4-4-2 with one game remaining vs.Jaahonka Stars..3rd place in #1 Division. We won 5-2. Scoring for us was Drew MacMillan with 2, Dereck Hurley with 2 and Mickey Sartoretto with 1.

They scheduled us against the top teams in both Sweden and Finland. The games have been very competitive. They bill them as "Friendly Games" but a few of them have not been so friendly. Matt Amadio suffered a mild concussion in last night's game and will probably miss our last game. He is doing fine though.

I have been very proud of the way the boys have been playing and handling themselves both on and off the ice. They have showed a great deal of self control in a few of the games which could have gotten out of hand if it wasn't for their discipline. They are making the Soo proud. We also received our first taste of European refereeing in Helsinki. It is quite different to say the least.

Tuesday evening, after our game the boys were treated to a Finnish elite game between Espoo Blues and Assat Pori. The Blues have Steve Karyia playing for them and Assat has Rob Hisey, formely of the Hounds. Some of the boys met with him. He scored a nice goal in the game as well.

Also, when we were at the HIFK game we met with Doug Sheddon, who is their pro team's head coach. He is doing well and says hello to all his friends in the Soo. The experience has been tremendous.

***