Blind River scores late to defeat Eagles 2-1

BLIND RIVER, Ont. – The Blind River Beavers saw Justin Mauro bang in a rebound with just a minute and 15 seconds remaining in regulation to pull out a 2-1 victory over the Soo Eagles in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Sunday afternoon at the Blind River Community Centre.

The home side got the day’s scoring going 8:45 into the opening frame as Cole Ambeault collected his first NOJHL marker.

Answering back, Sault Ste. Marie notched the equalizer a few minutes later with Jake Lamberty scoring for a third straight game to level the proceedings.

The score stayed tied at 1-1 through the rest of the period as well as the second stanza as the two clubs entered the final frame still level.

Then heading towards the end of regulation, Blind River got the game-winner as Milos Todorovic skated in a fired a shot that was stopped, but the rebound went right to an open Mauro at the top of the crease, who slammed in the difference maker from close range to give the Beavers the lead.

A late power play helped the hosts run out the clock from there as they improved to 12-4-1-0 as their 25 points has them in top spot in the NOJHL’s West Division standings.

In defeat, the Eagles slipped to 7-8-1-1 overall.

Shots on goal finished up 44-26 in favour of the Beavers with Jackson Hjelle picking up the win while Shane Brancato suffered the narrow defeat.