NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Sunday, March 23, 2014
Soo’s Solomon sinks Blind River in OT
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. – Jeremy Solomon’s shot from the left point 54 seconds into overtime deflected off a defender and in for the game-winner as the Soo Thunderbirds pulled out a narrow 4-3 win over the Blind River Beavers in game 5 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League quarter-final series at Essar Centre.
The victory gives the Thunderbirds a 4-1 series triumph, which was a hard-fought affair with four of the five contests decided by just one goal.
After Joey Miller put Sault Ste. Marie in front a minute and a half into the contest the persistent Blind River side countered with markers from Jake Zarzycki and Trevor Simonick 91 seconds apart to give the Beavers a 2-1 cushion.
David Radke then tied things up for the T-Birds late in the opening frame for his second goal of the playoffs.
Each side scored once in the middle session to make it a 3-3 game with Scott Marshall giving Blind River the lead at 4:05 only to see Darcy Haines tie it once again at 13:46.
Neither side would strike in the third forcing OT where Solomon won it early as he harmless looking shot towards the net changed direction and surprised a helpless Dylan Knox who had no chance on the play.
Anthony Butorac had a pair of assists on the night for the Thunderbirds, including one on the game-winner.
Brian Kment won his fourth straight postseason start for the Thunderbirds making 20 saves on the night.
Knox made 33 stops in a losing cause in what turned out to be his club’s final game of the season.
Sault Ste. Marie now moves on the NOJHL semifinals where they will meet the winner of the Elliot Lake – Abitibi series, which the Bobcats now lead 3-2 heading into game 6 at home Monday at Centennial Arena.
SERIES A
No. 1 Soo Thunderbirds vs. No. 8 Blind River Beavers
Thunderbirds win best-of-seven series 4-1
Game 1: Blind River 3 Soo 2
Game 2: Soo 3 Blind River 2
Game 3: Soo 6 Blind River 0
Game 4: Soo 3 Blind River 2
Game 5: Soo 4 Blind River 3 (OT)
