The Halifax Thunderbirds hosted the Oshawa FireWolves at ScotiaBank Centre Friday night to open their 2025-2026 NLL campaign. Entering their sixth season in the Maritimes, the Thunderbirds are looking to improve upon last year’s performance, which included advancing to the playoff semifinals for the first time since relocating from Rochester for the 2020 season. However, questions remain about whether Halifax can play for prolonged stretches of the season without becoming undisciplined and racking up costly penalties on both sides of the ball.
Meanwhile, Oshawa enjoyed a win in Week 1 at their new home, after relocating from Albany in the offseason. Goaltender Doug Jamieson was outstanding in net in an 8-7 win over Toronto, but arguably faced many more shots than the defensive unit in front of him should have allowed. Jamieson would once again allow less than double digit goals; however, this night belonged to Thunderbirds goaltender Warren Hill as he put on an absolute goaltending clinic, tying an NLL record by allowing just two goals in an 11-2 win over Oshawa.
Theede, Petterson lead the charge as Thunderbirds take first half lead
The FireWolves struck first, with Tye Kurtz scoring on a power play (2:32). Ryan Terefenko scored in transition for Halifax (12:33) to level the game, but Kurtz found the back of the net again 46 seconds later to give Oshawa a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately for the FireWolves, that’s where any further attempts to spoil Halifax’s home opener went belly up.
Late in the quarter, Clarke Petterson found Dawson Theede with a sneaky feed for a power play goal (14:21) to tie the game at 2-2 after 15 minutes of play. The second quarter was all Thunderbirds, as Theede (6:18), Randy Staats (6:38) and Cody Jamieson (10:05 power play) scored to give Halifax a 5-2 lead going into halftime. Petterson assisted on all three second quarter markers, and Hill shut the door on every Oshawa shot in the second quarter.
Hill, Halifax defense shut down Oshawa in second half
After a scoreless third quarter, Halifax exploded for six more goals in the fourth. Mike Robinson stung the top corner at 5:10, followed by Cody Jamieson’s second (7:23) and another from Staats (10:13) to make it 8-2. Doug Jamieson was replaced in the Oshawa net by Andrew Kidd. The FireWolves continued to have some good looks as the clock dwindled, but Hill was there at every turn to deny any comeback attempt. Empty-net goals from Colton Armstrong (12:27), Petterson (13:32), and Tyson Bell (14:28) closed out a huge statement win for the Thunderbirds. Hill tied the NLL record for fewest goals allowed in a game, set previously by Bob Watson of Toronto (vs. Philadelphia) on April 16, 1999 (playoff game), and equaled by Matt Vinc of Rochester (vs. Minnesota) on April 4, 2015.
Other Stats of Note
FireWolves: Kurtz (2g); Dyson Williams (2a); Ethan Walker (1a)
Thunderbirds: Staats (2g, 3a); C. Jamieson (2g, 2a); Theede (2g); Petterson (1g, 5a); Armstrong (1g, 1a); Bell (1g, 1a); Robinson (1g); Terefenko (1g)
Oshawa defensive notables: Nick Chaykowsky (11 lb, 2 cto), Will Johansen (9lb, 5cto), Jaxon Fridge (5lb, 3cto)
Halifax defensive notables: Hill (49 saves, 2 GA); Jake Withers (15-17 faceoffs, 16lb, 2cto), Graeme Hossack (5lb)
Power Play: OSH 1 for 7; HFX 2 for 6
