Blind River bests Hearst 6-3

BLIND RIVER, Ont. – Jack Rudin tallied twice, including the game-winner, and added an assist as the Blind River Beavers bested the Hearst Lumberjacks 6-3 Friday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League match-up at the Blind River Community Centre.

Neither side would be able to convert during a scoreless first period.

Blind River did get things going offensively early in the middle stanza as Josh Norman picked up his fifth goal of the season 1:29 into the frame.

The Beavers then upped their lead later in the period as they connected on the power play at 8:42 with Max Khull picking up his 25th of the campaign.

Then at even strength, the home side added another just 22 seconds later as Rudin put them up by three.

Hearst battled back though before the second stanza was complete compliments of a pair of Colin Boudreau markers.

However, Rudin, with the eventual difference maker, and defenceman Ryan Neilson’s first NOJHL goal put Blind River comfortably in front before the third period was seven minutes old.

Spencer Silver’s 16th point in his past four outings brought the visitors closer, however the Beavers’ Anthony Bastianello secured the victory with a late empty netter to complete the night’s scoring.

Owen Robinson, Jack Sampson and Dylan McMahon all had two assists in the Blind River triumph.

Cam Burggrabe made 35 saves in a winning cause for the Beavers while Hearst starter Nicholas Dube faced 45 shots against in defeat.