The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division hosts some of the league’s hottest teams, including the Soo Thunderbirds.
Thanks to a pair of weekend victories, the Thunderbirds have seven wins in their past 10 games and have moved into fourth in the division but are just five points behind the division-leading Greater Sudbury Cubs.
The Thunderbirds wrapped up weekend play on Sunday with a 5-2 victory over the French River Rapids in Noelville.
The Thunderbirds scored three times in the third period to break a 2-2 tie through 40 minutes en route to the win.
Veteran forward Jackson Truchan led the way offensively for the Thunderbirds with a pair of goals and two assists.
James Legler also had a four-point day for the Thunderbirds with four assists in the win.
Jacob Smith chipped in with two goals and an assist while Thomas Degagne also scored in the victory.
Rookie goaltender Maverick Fletcher stopped 28 shots for the Thunderbirds.
Rapids goaltender Brady Dyer made 45 saves in the losing effort.
Kai Clayton and Jesse Lefebvre scored for French River.
On Saturday, the Thunderbirds picked up a narrow 2-1 victory over the Powassan Voodoos.
Power play goals by Smith and Truchan in the second period were the difference in the win. Both had a goal and an assist in the win.
Legler assisted on both goals for the Thunderbirds while goaltender Kolton Bourret stopped 27 shots.
Caden Dubreuil had the lone goal for Powassan. Goaltender Daniel Dirracolo stopped 12 shots for the Voodoos.
The Thunderbirds return to action on Thursday night on the road against Greater Sudbury before returning home to face French River on Saturday night.
With the weekend victories, the Thunderbirds record stands at 8-3-2-1 through 14 games.