GALLERY: Blind River holds off Thunderbirds comeback

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Blind River Beavers picked up a power play goal from Steven Khull 2:22 into overtime to help them pull out a 4-3 victory over the Soo Thunderbirds Friday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at John Rhodes Community Centre.

An early man advantage allowed Blind River to get on the board first as Caleb Serre scored 3:17 into the game.

Nick Smith tied it for Sault Ste. Marie later in the frame only to see Owen Robinson put the Beavers up 2-1 after one.

Ryan Cullen upped the Blind River lead with the lone tally of the second stanza.

Battling back in the third, the Thunderbirds’ Noah Sollinger scored on the power play with 12:15 to go then forced OT on Alex Costa’s equalizer at with just over two and a half minutes left in regulation.

However in the initial OT session Khull won it for Blind River to spoil the T-Birds home opener.

Max Khull and Ryan Nielson dished out two assists apiece for the Beavers.

Garrett Boyonoski finished with 32 saves in helping Blind River improve to 3-0 on the season.

Brandon Gordon made 28 stops for the Soo in helping them earn a point on the night as they fell to 2-1-1 to date.