Thunderbirds swarm Beavers in overtime

The Blind River Beavers used a little drama to defeat the Soo Thunderbirds in an exhibition contest back in August.

On Wednesday night in Blind River, the Thunderbirds returned the favour by scoring the tying goal in the dying seconds and notching the winner in overtime for a thrilling 5-4 victory.

The difference in this game being that it counts in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League standings.

With the Thunderbirds trailing 4-3, Kyle Johnson scored with 13 seconds remaining in regulation time to send the game into overtime.

Just 31 seconds into the extra frame, Beavers defenseman Andre Gauvin was sent off for tripping setting up Tyler Gendron's power play winner at the 1:39 mark.

The goal was Gendron's second of the night with Shawn Bibeau and Adam Kauppi scoring once each for the Thunderbirds. Nick Minardi recorded three assists and Matt Conway two while Kauppi set up another.

Jeremy Hilliard replied with two goals for the Beavers while Josh Faulkner and Anthony Libonati added singles.

The Thunderbirds peppered the Beavers with 50 shots in the contest while Soo netminder Ryan Dube faced 33 shots with none coming in overtime.

The win improves the Thunderbirds to 2-1 on the young season with their next game scheduled for Friday as the Sudbury Junior Wolves visit the John Rhodes Community Centre for a 7:30 p.m. start.

In the exhibition game on August 30, Libonati scored with one second remaining in the third period for a 7-6 Beavers win.

*** SUNDAY:

In NOJHL action to conclude opening weekend on Sunday, Anthony Libonati scored four times to pace the Beavers to a 7-4 win over the Abitibi Eskimos. Jason Bird, Matt Irving and Rob Higgins also scored for the winners while Russel Morin, Ian Wong, Matt Brunet and Dan Dube replied for Abitibi.

In Little Current, the North Bay Skyhawks edged the Manitoulin Islanders 3-2. Joe Trotter, Scott Faulkner and Jon Drake tallied for the Skyhawks while Justin Hogan and Nathan Norton replied for the Islanders.