The Blind River Beavers managed to hold on to a one-goal lead in Thursday evening’s tight game with the Elliot Lake Vikings in the start of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) season.
The historic rivalry between the two clubs was enough to see the host’s Blind River arena filled close to capacity.
The Vikings got on the scoreboard first in the early part of the opening period on a goal by Noah Aboflan who beat Blind River netminder Noah Tegelaar.
The Beavers countered within a two-minute time frame to score twice to pull ahead of the visitors. Registering their goals were Nathanel Pretez who scored on Elliot Lake netminder Sam Keene. Shortly after, the Beavers’ Michael Gallagher found the sweet spot for a 2-1 home lead.
Josh Thompson put the Beavers up by two on a goal.
The Vikings pulled to within one prior to the first intermission on a goal by Gavin McLenaghan.
Second-period action saw the Vikings tie it close to midway mark on a second McLenahgan goal.
Tied at 3-3 going into the third the Beavers managed to take the lead retake the lead when Evan Fraccaro knocked in the go-ahead marker from in close on Keene.
The Beavers power play then added some insurance thanks to Gallagher’s second goal on the night.
Elliot Lake’s Nathan Marincola scored a goal with 7:55 remaining to again close the gap on the Beavers.
The Vikings pulled their goalkeeper late in the third for the extra attacker but were unsuccessful in scoring the equalizer giving Blind River the win.
The Vikings will host the Timmins Rock this Saturday at the Centennial Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.
With files from NOJHL news