Game Photos: Bob Davies
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – The Blind River Beavers collected four first period goals, including a pair from Hayden Webster, while Eric Clark made 30 saves to record his initial Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout as part of a 5-0 victory over the Soo Thunderbirds Friday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
Some early pressure helped Blind River notch the night’s initial tally 45 seconds in with Joel Martin whipping one in from left hash marks.
A two-man advantage aided the Beavers in adding another in the first with Alexander Tingay tipping in a Caleb Minns attempt from the point.
Still up a skater, the visitors struck again as Webster notched his first of the evening as he cranked one from the top of the right circle.
A fourth marker in the session saw Webster score once more as he was the recipient of a loose puck laying free before he jammed it in while in front of the Thunderbirds net.
In the third, Blind River put the game away when Jesse Dupuis roofed a shot into the top right-hand corner with just under five minutes remaining to wrap-up the scoring.
Minns chipped in with three assists to help pace the winning side.
Clark got his first league victory with the decision while Noah Metivier faced 18 shots against in suffering the defeat.