Latest News

North Island Edge Thunderbirds in First Pre-Season Tilt

South Island Thunderbirds, August 19, 2008

Whenever the North Island Silvertips and South Island Thunderbirds get together, the score is close.  Sunday afternoon's first pre-season game for both teams was no exception as the Silvertips scored late in the 3rd period to skate away with a 4 - 3 decision at UVic's Ian Stewart Complex.

Both teams are carrying extra players and gave most of their returning players the day off.  Each of the teams will have approximately one-half of their final rosters made up of newcomers when the season starts in the third week of September.  That only adds to the competitiveness of a game like Sunday's as the rookies try to show their coaches that they belong at the Major Midget level.

The two teams took turns scoring on Sunday, after a scoreless first period in which Thunderbird goalie Liam Moes did his part to keep the Silvertips off the board.  Moes played the first two periods before giving way to Chad Katunar for the third.

Both teams scored twice in the second period.  North Island got on the board first with a goal by Jeff Datoff before Wade Murphy answered back for the Thunderbirds.  Gerry Fitzgerald gave North Island another lead late in the second period but Murphy again erased that with his second marker just before the period ended.

The two teams traded goals once more early in the third period, Datoff again finding the back of the net for North Island and Russell Lepine bringing the T-Birds back into a tie at the five minute mark.  The winning goal was scored by Beau Blanaru at the period's mid-point and the Silvertips hung on from there.

The Thunderbirds will play their next pair of exhibition games on the first weekend of September, with details to be announced later.  The season opener is on September 20 when the Vancouver NE Chiefs come to town.

More News

• North Island Edge Thunderbirds in First Pre-Season Tilt - 08/19/2008
• T-Birds Roster Trimmed But More Tough Choices Remain - 08/10/2008
• Evaluation Camp Day Two - Kaiser Leads the Way - 08/09/2008
• Evaluation Camp Day One - T-Birds Finish in "Henhouse" - 08/08/2008
• Team Officials Named for 2008-09 South Island Thunderbirds - 08/06/2008