BLIND RIVER, Ont. – A tally credited to Malik Ali with 48 seconds remaining in overtime was the difference as the Soo Eagles pulled out a 4-3 decision over the Blind River Beavers Friday evening in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at Blind River Community Centre.
The Beavers did get off to a good start notching the night’s initial marker just before the first period expired as Caleb Serre collected his league-leading seventh goal of the season at 19:58.
Sault Ste. Marie came back to tie it early in the second stanza on a Raf Praysner effort and knot it at 1-1.
The clubs then traded tallies later in the frame with Devon Savignac connecting for Blind River while Caleb Wood countered for the Soo.
After Ryan Dacks gave the Eagles a 3-2 lead seven minutes into the third, Justin Mauro forced OT with 6:22 remaining in regulation.
In the extra session, the Soo pulled out the win on a delayed penalty and a scramble in front as Ali snapped in the game-winner to give the guests the victory.
Shane Brancato made 46 saves to record the win for the Eagles.
Wyatt Courshane started for Blind River and allowed three against on 27 shots in 53 minutes of work while Jonathan Lemaire suffered the setback in relief while facing five attempts.
With the result, the Soo improves to 1-1-1-1 on the season while the Beavers suffered their initial defeat slipping to 4-0-1-0 overall.
