CHELMSFORD, Ont. – Backed by an impressive 45-save shutout by goaltender Dominic Boily, the Blind River Beavers defeated the Rayside-Balfour Canadians 3-0 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Thursday night at Chelmsford Arena, in front of a season-high home crowd of 550 spectators to hand the hosts their first loss in regulation time of 2020.
The Canadians played the contest sporting special jerseys that were being auctioned off to help raise funds for Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer, a volunteer-based organization that supports local families who have a child with cancer.
It was visiting Blind River that collected the evening’s opening tally, with Kyle Quinn notching his 17th marker of the season with assistance from Devon Savignza and Bryan Clahassey in what proved to be the game-winner.
Skating in the middle session saw the Beavers extend their lead as Quinn scored once more at 14:24 as the guests took a 2-0 edge into the third.
In that finale frame, Milos Todorovic banged in his 10th early on to pick up what proved the final goal of the game.
Despite lots of chances to get on the board, Boily foiled Rayside-Balfour at every turn to post his second shutout in his past three starts for the Beavers.
Canadians starter David Bowen faced 30 attempts in defeat as he suffered his first setback since back on October 19 after registering victories in 11 straight appearances for RBC.
GAME CHANGE: Tonight’s other scheduled NOJHL contest, between the Timmins Rock and Cochrane Crunch, that was postponed, will now be played tomorrow evening, Friday, Feb. 28.
Game time remains the same, which is 7 p.m. at Tim Horton Event Centre.
