Photos: Northern Exposures Photography
ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – An Alex Antoine power play marker with 57 seconds remaining in proved to be the difference as the Elliot Lake Red Wings clipped the Blind River Beavers 5-4 Tuesday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League preseason action at Centennial Arena.
Elliot Lake also started strong, by skating out to a 2-0 lead before the match-up was 10 minutes old, compliments of markers from Silas Crawford, at even strength, and Matthew Shulist, via the man advantage.
Nick Moore got one back for Blind River before the first intermission, to narrow the margin.
Up a skater midway through the proceedings, Jake Kovacs drew the Beavers level, only to see Zach Vickerman restore the Red Wings’ lead a couple of shifts later.
Back and forth they went, with the visitors answering thanks to Harvey Wardell at 11:50.
Breaking the deadlock once more, Kaden Laverdierre buried one for the hosts deep into the second stanza making it 4-3 Elliot Lake after 40 minutes.
In the final frame, Caleb Minns tied things up yet again with another equalizer at 14:04.
Antoine won it for the Red Wings though before the contest went to overtime with his late game-winner, as his side enjoyed the extra skater.
Sean Geurin picked up the win in net for Elliot Lake while Gavin Disano started for Blind River in the narrow setback.
