NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Saturday, March 22, 2014
Thunderbirds go up 3-1 on Beavers
BLIND RIVER – Grant Syrette’s third period power play goal proved to be the difference maker as the Soo Thunderbirds edged the Blind River Beavers 3-2 Saturday evening in game 4 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League quarter-final series at the Blind River Community Centre.
In earning the victory Sault Ste. Marie now leads the best-of-seven affair 3-1 heading home to host game 5 Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. at Essar Centre.
After a scoreless opening period the Thunderbirds struck twice in the final two minutes of the middle session to go up a pair after 40 minutes on efforts supplied by Anthony Miller at 18:15 and Jaren Bellini, via the power play, 80 seconds later.
Syrette then put the visitors up 3-0 with his man advantage effort just past the four minute mark of the final stanza.
Despite being down Blind River continued to battle and would be rewarded by getting on the board during an extra-man opportunity 8:35 into the final frame, which snapped a lengthy goalless streak by Sault netminder Brian Kment at 104 minutes.
The Beavers would then pull within one at 12:40 as Alex Lewicki buried his second of the playoffs as he beat Kment.
Owen Headrick had a couple of assists for the T-Birds to aid in their offensive cause.
Kment finished the evening with 25 stops to pick up the triumph in net.
Dylan Knox saw 42 shots fired his way in defeat for Blind River.
Postseason play also continues in Iroquois Falls Sunday evening as the Abitibi Eskimos host the Elliot Lake Bobcats at 7:30 p.m. at Jus Jordan Arena in game 5 of their series, which is knotted at 2-2.
SERIES A
No. 1 Soo Thunderbirds vs. No. 8 Blind River Beavers
Thunderbirds lead best-of-seven series 3-1
Game 1: Blind River 3 Soo 2
Game 2: Soo 3 Blind River 2
Game 3: Soo 6 Blind River 0
Game 4: Soo 3 Blind River 2
Game 5: March 23 @ Soo 7:30 p.m.
Game 6*: March 24 @ Blind River 7:30 p.m.
Game 7*: March 26 @ Soo 7:30 p.m.
*-if necessary
