Beavers rally to win in OT to keep playoff hopes alive

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE

NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Friday, March 4, 2016

Beavers rally to win in OT to keep playoff hopes alive

NOELVILLE, Ont. – Facing another must-win situation, the Blind River Beavers got an Alex Kidd goal 2:49 into overtime to rally for a dramatic 4-3 come from behind victory over the French River Rapids Friday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Noelville Arena.

Needing a victory to keep their playoff aspirations intact, the Beavers opened the scoring in this one just before the four-minute mark of the first period on Jason Uhl’s 11th marker of the season.

French River came back and tied it, via the power play, at 12:30 on Marc-Andre Quevillion’s first NOJHL tally and then took a 2-1 lead six minutes later on a Caleb Rich effort.

The Rapids added to their cushion with the lone tally of the second stanza as Tyler McGregor picked up his 11th of the campaign.

Blind River began their comeback early in the third as Mark Suchy made it 3-2 before the session was three minutes old.

The Beavers then tied it with 19 seconds remaining in regulation, getting the equalizer from Joseph Eben to force OT.

They then completed the rally as Kidd came out from behind the French River net and wrapped in the game-winner to end it.

With the result, Blind River now trails the Espanola Express by one point in the quest for the final playoff spot in the NOJHL West division.

The Express have two games remaining in the regular season while the Beavers have just one as they host Cochrane Saturday evening. Espanola’s next match-up is Sunday afternoon on the road at the Soo Thunderbirds.

Zac McInall had a pair of assists for the Rapids.

Shots on goal favoured Blind River 59-35 with Martin Miloslavich picking up the win and Alec St-Georges the OT setback.