NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Sunday, March 15, 2015
Soo win away from division final berth
SAULT STE. MARIE – Soo Thunderbirds defenceman Owen Headrick had a career-high four goals to help lead his side to an 11-0 victory over the Blind River Beavers Sunday in Game 3 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division semifinal at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
With the win, Sault Ste. Marie now leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and will look to end it in Game 4, Tuesday at the Blind River Community Centre at 7:30 p.m.
A surging Jaren Bellini, who has amassed points in every game vs. Blind River this season, notched the lone tally of the opening period as he scored at 13:57 to put the Thunderbirds in front.
The home side then took control of the contest in the middle session striking six times to send the Soo on their way.
Matt Caruso picked up three of the markers for the Thunderbirds in the stanza while Devin Shell, Headrick and David Radke supplied singles.
The Soo then wrapped up the romp with four more in the final frame getting three straight courtesy of Lake Superior State recruit Headrick to cap-off his four-goal night and one final effort from Brett Jeffries to round out the scoring.
Brandon Grandinetti doled out four assists for the Thunderbirds on the night while Bellini had three assists own his own to give him four points as well.
In all, eight different Soo skaters had multiple-point evenings.
Brian Kment made 13 saves to record his second straight shutout of the playoffs and pick up the win.
Braddock Baalerud started for Blind River and suffered the loss allowing seven against on 30 shots in two periods of work.
Zachary Mills turned aside 10 of 14 for the Beavers in relief in the third.
West Semifinal 1
No. 1 Soo Thunderbirds vs. No. 4 Blind River Beavers
Thunderbirds lead best-of-seven series 3-0
Game 1: Soo 11 Blind River 0
Game 2: Soo 10 Blind River 1
Game 3: Soo 11 Blind River 0
Game 4: Tuesday, March 17 @ Blind River 7:30 p.m. (Blind River)
Game 5*: Thursday, March 19 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes)
Game 6*: Saturday, March 21 @ Blind River 7:30 p.m. (Blind River)
Game 7*: Monday, March 23 @ Sault Ste. Marie 7 p.m. (John Rhodes)
*-if necessary
