Photos: Justin Cairns
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Backed by a big night from Alex Povorozniouk, the Soo Eagles rode his five-point performance to a 6-2 victory over the Blind River Beavers Friday in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Pullar Stadium.
The Eagles gained the edge late in the first period on a five-on-three when Jacob Peterson pumped in a loose puck off a Povorozniouk blast from the slot past Beavers’ netminder Justin Sullivan.
Moving to the middle frame, Blind River drew level a couple minutes in thanks to Ryder Hill, who went to the net after winning a draw and fired one through the legs of Sault Ste. Marie starter Jace Knoerle, to give him five goals in his past five games.
Countering quickly, Carter Huckson put the Eagles back on top on the next shift as he spun at the top of the crease and knocked in a play put to him from Samuel Gold.
The Soo them went up 3-1, via the man advantage, compliments of Povorozniouk, who finished off a cross-ice set-up from Liam Watson from the left side at 5:59.
More from Povorozniouk put the home side up 4-1 after 40 minutes as he notched his second of the evening by wiring one high, short-side, on Sullivan.
Getting back to within a pair in the final stanza, Caleb Walker brought Blind River closer as he used a defender as a screen and whistled one through Knoerle with 14-plus minutes to play.
Another point for Povorozniouk saw him drop one off for Lucas Caulfield, who went in and wired an attempt over the glove of the Beavers’ goalkeeper to help confirm the triumph.
The Soo’s Caulfield then rounded out the scoring with a shorthanded empty net effort.
With the win, the Eagles improve to 11-19-1-1 overall and in defeat, the Beavers drop to 9-17-0-4.
The same two teams meet again Saturday back at Pullar Stadium in a 7 p.m. start and on FLOHockey.tv.
