A 38-save performance from goaltender Brandon Gordon wasn’t quite enough for the Soo Thunderbirds in the opening game of its Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League schedule.
An early goal by Max Griffioen was the difference as the Hearst Lumberjacks picked up a 2-0 win over the Thunderbirds in the first game in franchise history for the Lumberjacks at Claude Larose Arena in Hearst.
Lumberjacks goaltender Artem Bartovskiy made 30 saves to pick up the shutout.
Bradley Golant sealed the victory with an shorthanded empty net goal with five seconds to go in regulation time.
The Thunderbirds continue the opening weekend of the NOJHL schedule on Saturday night in Cochrane against the Crunch before wrapping up the weekend in Timmins against the Rock on Sunday afternoon.