Strong start sends Blind River over Espanola

Photos: Helene Rancourt

BLIND RIVER, Ont. – The Blind River Beavers were all business in the opening 20 minutes Thursday night as they scored three times in the session and never trailed en route to a 4-2 triumph over the Espanola Express in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the Blind River Community Centre.

Jesse Dupuis started the outburst for the Beavers as he went upstairs on Espanola’s Patrick Bovin by completing a two-on-one with teammate Joel Martin at 4:36.

Midway through the first, Noah Minns made it 2-0 as he deftly deflected a shot from the left point that slowly trickled across the goal line.

Not done there, the home side tacked on another, via the power play, as recently acquired Hayden Webster connected in his initial NOJHL outing by taking a cross-ice feed and snapping one through a pair of skaters in front and in.

Answering back early in the middle stanza, Todd McBain put Espanola on the board after taking a lengthy pass from Joshua Romolo, which sent him in alone on a breakaway and made no mistake by snapping a shot blocker side on Blind River goalkeeper Gavin Disano.

It was more from McBain in the latter stages of the second as another long pass sent him darting down the side boards where he whipped one in from the left face off dot.

Countering quickly though, Dakota Seaman made it 4-2 Beavers as he was quick to the puck at the top of the crease and stuffed it in for his third of the campaign.

The rest of the contest was scoreless as the hosts held firm to secure the home ice triumph.

Disano made 40 saves to pick up the win while Boivin faced 49 shots in defeat.