BLIND RIVER, Ont. – A Josh Norman goal 3:21 into the second overtime was the difference as the Blind River Beavers edged the Rayside-Balfour Canadians 4-3 in an action-packed Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division affair at the Blind River Community Centre.
Jacob Partridge staked the visitors to the early lead as he picked up 12th of the season at 4:13.
Taking advantage of a late power play, Blind River drew level with 46 seconds remaining in the first period as Jordan Kreller collected his fourth overall to knot the affair at 1-1 after one.
Action in the second stanza saw the Beavers go in front as affiliate David Campbell supplied his first NOJHL goal at 13:26 as he converted during a man advantage opportunity.
Moving on to the third period, Rayside-Balfour carried a power play into the session and were quick to capitalize as Ethan Lavallee tied it 56 seconds into the frame.
The Canadians kept coming and went in front at 7:34 as Partridge notched his second of the night and 13th overall.
Blind River did come back to force extra time with 9:31 left in regulation as Norman knotted the contest at 3-3.
Then moving on to extra time and the second OT, Norman added another to win it with his 12th overall to give the Beavers the decision and the second point on the night.
Blind River also kept Rayside-Balfour’s Kyle Liinamaa off the scoresheet as his eight-game goal streak came to an end.
Jack Sampson supplied two assists to aid the winners’ offensively.
Cam Burggrabe made 54 saves to pick-up the win for the Beavers while Brayden Lachance faced 65 shots in defeat while helping his side earn a point on the night.
The same two teams will meet again Sunday in a match-up at Chelmsford Arena in a start time of 6:30 p.m., which is a half hour earlier than originally scheduled.
