Blind River rallies to edge Sudbury in OT

NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
MEDIA UPDATE

Release Date: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013
 
Blind River rallies to edge Sudbury in OT

SUDBURY – A Scott Marshall tally 1:52 into overtime was the difference as the Blind River Beavers stormed back from a four-goal deficit to defeat the Sudbury Nickel Barons 6-5 in overtime in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at McClelland Arena.

It was all Sudbury in the opening half of the contest as they took a 4-0 lead past the midway point of the match-up.

The Nickel Barons got first period markers from Martin Jolicouer and captain Brett Dusick to go up a pair after 20 minutes.

They then added two more courtesy of the power play early in the middle stanza to increase their lead as Ryan Punkari and Austin Veleke extended the Sudbury cushion.

After special teams allowed Blind River to get on the board at 13:03 of the session with Marc Pompei connecting for the Beavers answered right back just 13 seconds later to up 5-1 when Bradley Bell found the back of the net.

The Beavers then began their comeback with four and half minutes to go in the period as Tyson MacLeod beat Sudbury starter Michael Muzyka at 15:27.

Blind River later pulled to within two, five minutes into the third, as Liam Finn scored of the power play.

The visitors pulled ever closer halfway through the frame off an unassisted Luke MacDonald effort.

MacLeod’s second of the evening with 8:03 remaining in regulation and sixth power play goal on the night between the two clubs forced OT setting the stage for Marshall to complete the Beavers’ comeback in extra time.

Marshall and Sudbury’s Bell also both chipped in with two assists apiece.

Shaun Gerbinski finished with 49 saves to pick up the victory helping Blind River put an end to a seven-game losing streak as they improved to 4-9 overall on the season.

The Nickel Barons did receive a point for the OT setback with Muzyka facing 43 shots in defeat as Sudbury slipped to 3-9-0-1.

Next up in league play has the 10-1 Kirkland Lake Gold Miners travelling to Elliot Lake Thursday to take on the 5-4-0-2 Bobcats in a 7:30 p.m. start at Centennial Arena.