OT required to decide both NOJHL contests Saturday

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013
 
OT required to decide both NOJHL contests Saturday

SUDBURY – Fans attending both of the scheduled Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contests Saturday got some extra entertainment value added in as overtime was required to decide the outcome in each contest with Abitibi and Elliot Lake both picking up 3-2 OT victories.

ABITIBI ESKIMOS 3 SOO THUNDERBIRDS 2 (OT) – Brady Clouthier’s team-leading 14th goal of the season 44 seconds into overtime was the difference as the Eskimos defeated the visiting Thunderbirds at Jus Jordan Arena.

After a scoreless first 20 minutes, both sides found the back of the net twice in the middle frame in the tightly-contested match-up.

Ryan Tront put Abitibi on the board near the three-minute mark of the second stanza before Joey Miller’s power play effort at 8:17 leveled the proceedings.

Sault Ste. Marie then took the lead at 12:50 with another man advantage marker courtesy of Anthony Miller.

Tront’s second of the night tied things again as he connected with the teams skating four skaters aside.

Neither team would dent the twine in the third, setting the stage for Clouthier to win it early in OT on an assist by Tront who, along with Clouthier, completed a three-point night.

Brody Wagner made 31 saves to earn the victory for the Eskimos who improved to 9-9-0-2 on the season.

Brian Kment faced 21 shots in a losing cause as his club picked up a point while slipping to 18-3-0-2 overall.

ELLIOT LAKE BOBCATS 3 BLIND RIVER BEAVERS 2 (OT) – Elliot Lake won for a franchise-best fifth game in a row getting the game-winner off the stick of Brett Wagner 3:21 into extra time.

Neither side would score in the first period, the Bobcats got off to a quick start in the second as Dylan Sakatch struck on the power play just 53 seconds into the middle session.

Blind River’s Tyson MacLeod tied things up at 3:33 only to see Andrew Palushaj strike again midway through the stanza to put the visitors up one heading into the third.

Francis Desforges forced extra time for the Beavers as he connected with 9:35 remaining in regulation.

In OT Elliot Lake would eventually win in as Wagner struck to give the Bobcats the second point that was up for grabs.

Alex Bitsakas was peppered with 52 shots in earning the win between the pipes for Elliot Lake as they continued their winning way improving to 11-6-0-3 on the season.

Matt Young saw 45 pucks fired his way in the setback as Blind River dipped to 4-16-0-1.

NOJHL play resumes on two fronts Sunday as the Beavers host the Espanola Rivermen in a 2 p.m. start at the Community Centre while the North Bay Trappers entertains Sault Ste. Marie in a 7 p.m. start at West Ferris Arena.

 

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