Soo Thunderbirds goaltender Eric Schuch must be taking a page out of singer Jerry Reed’s book. When you’re hot, you’re hot.
The last time the 18-year-old netminder surrendered a goal for the Soo Thunderbirds was at the 16:03 mark of the second period of a 4-2 Thunderbirds win over the Soo (Mich.) Eagles on Sept. 30. What makes it so impressive is that he’s played over 140 minutes of hockey since then, which includes a 3-0 shutout of the Cochrane Crunch on Wednesday on day two of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League showcase in Sudbury.
Schuch made 32 saves against the Crunch Sunday and lowered his goals against average to 1.67 in the process.
Nick Smith paced the Thunderbirds offensively with two goals and an assist while Kaidan McDonald assisted on two goals. Alex Acosta also scored for the Thunderbirds, who improve to 10-3-1-0.
Goaltender Shayne Battler made 33 saves for the Crunch, who fall to 6-7-0-0.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Saturday night in Blind River against the Beavers before beginning s stretch the following night that sees the team play five of six games at home at the John Rhodes Community Centre. The stretch opens Sunday night against the Elliot Lake Wildcats in a 7:30 p.m. puck drop at the John Rhodes.