NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, March 31, 2017
Serre’s 3rd period strike sends Beavers past Eagles in Game 1 of West Division Final
BLIND RIVER, Ont. – A Caleb Serre goal 12:45 into the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Blind River Beavers edged the Soo Eagles 2-1 in a tightly-contested Game 1 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division Final Friday at the Blind River Community Centre.
Game 2 goes Sunday back in Blind River at 6:30 p.m.
The Beavers also notched the opening tally of the series 16 minutes into the match-up as Anthony Pullicino picked up his second of the playoffs beating Eagles’ starter Kade Phipps.
Sault Ste. Marie drew level five and a half minutes into the middle stanza thanks to Gianni Vitali’s first as his effort eluded Blind Rivernetminder Myles Hektor.
It remained hard-fought from there well into the third period with both clubs looking for the go ahead marker.
Then with 7:15 remaining in regulation, it was Blind River that got that goal as Serre came up with the puck along the side boards just inside the Soo blueline then proceeded to drive towards the net on the right side and snapped the difference maker past Phipps from close range.
The Eagles pulled their netminder in the final minute in an effort to tie it and force overtime, but a staunch Beavers’ defence held firm as they secured the victory.
Shots on goal favoured the visitors by a 49-46 count with Hektor posting the win and Phipps suffering the narrow setback as an Eagles’ five-game playoff win streak came to an end.
West Division Final
No. 2 Blind River Beavers vs. No. 4 Soo Eagles
Blind River leads best-of-seven series 1-0
Game 1: Blind River 2 Soo Eagles 1
Game 2: Sunday, April 2 @ Blind River 6:30 p.m. (Community Centre)
Game 3: Wednesday, April 5 @ Soo Eagles 7 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
Game 4: Friday, April 7 @ Soo Eagles 7:30 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
Game 5*: Saturday, April 8 @ Blind River (Community Centre)
Game 6*: Monday, April 10 @ Soo Eagles 7 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
Game 7*: Wednesday, April 12 @ Blind River 7:30 p.m. (Blind River Community Centre)
*-if necessary