Thunder eager for home-opener

The Borderland Thunder are supporters of cleanliness and fans of Michael Jackson.
Sitting on top of the dryer in their empty locker room Tuesday morning was a bulk-sized version of a Purex bleach product, and adjacent to that was a copy of Michael Jackson’s “Number Ones,” which the team frequently listens to before practices—and very well may listen to prior to their home-opener this Friday night against the K&A Golden Hawks.
“It’s just great music,” laughed Thunder head coach Dave Allison as he prepared for the morning practice.
After taking three of four points on their season-opening road trip last weekend (earning a 1-1 tie against the defending champion Fort William First Nation North Stars and then a 5-4 win over the Golden Hawks), Allison was all smiles as he referred to his team’s strong—and somewhat unexpected—start.
“I mean, last year it took us 12 games to beat the North Stars,” said Allison. “But we’ve got some solid goaltending, and I think the culture of our team has changed due to the leadership from a lot of our older guys.
“They have surprised us, but I think they just have a good deal of respect and a good deal of confidence. And those are two qualities that sometimes you lack or takes a while to get,” Allison added.
Tyler Gordon, who played with the Kenora Midget ‘AAA’ Stars last season, made close to 40 saves in his Thunder debut against the North Stars on Saturday, which allowed Josh McAndrew to net the game-tying goal late in the third period.
“We went there and just did our best,” said David Gooch, a second-year defenceman with the team. “Tyler Gordon just stood on his head for us when we played the North Stars and gave us a good game, and gave us a chance to get back into it.”
The Thunder were able to ride that adrenaline into their next game Sunday afternoon against the Golden Hawks.
But they also were fatigued from the North Stars’ game and squandered a three-goal lead. Fortunately, a late goal by rookie Steve Sus, who had scored earlier in the game, gave the Thunder the win.
“We were way ahead and then they caught up, and we just had to hold them off,” said Kurt Hogard, who also scored in that game along with Dennis Morrison and McAndrew.
“We just put our heart into it. I mean, they came back, but we still pulled out with the win,” added Gooch.
Those same Golden Hawks will be here this Friday and Saturday, with game times at 7:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, at the Ice for Kids Arena.
The Thunder weren’t able to play any exhibition games here and so they are looking forward to finally suiting up in front of what they hope will be a large crowd.
“We’re really excited,” said Gooch. “It’s our first home series. We didn’t play any pre-season games at home, so we’re looking for a big crowd, and to impress the crowd and show them what we got this year.
“Dave [Allison] just picked a really solid team and built it up, and picked guys that he thought would mold the best together, and it’s looking to be a really good season,” he added.
McAndrew, Morrison, Andrew Dault, and Aaron Boyer are the lone forwards back with the Thunder for 2004-05.
Rounding out the forwards are Bryan Schallenhammer (Philadelphia Little Flyers), Cole Despanis (Mason City Mohawks), Tanner Kaemingh (Kenora Midget ‘AAA’ Stars), Sus (Fort High Muskies), Chris Riggs (Philadelphia Little Flyers), Ryan Calhoun (Capital Thunder Jr. ‘B’), Tyler Barker (Kenora Midget ‘AAA’ Stars), and Jared Wood (Manitoulin Wild).
All Thunder veterans make up the defence corps, including P.J. Stodgell, Derek Fisher, Ryan Mayman, Andrew Perrault, and Clayton Windigo, along with Gooch and Hogard.
Tim Higbee (Colorado Outlaws ‘AAA’) will be sharing goaltending duties with Gordon.