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A James McDowall marker with 49 seconds remaining in overtime helped the Soo Thunderbirds withstand a comeback bid by the Blind River Beavers as part of a 4-3 win Friday, January 31st in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League meeting at John Rhodes Community Centre.
Banging in two quick ones in on Beavers’ goalkeeper Bronx Bodnar, the Thunderbirds jumped out to a 2-0 lead before the match-up was six minutes old.
Jonathan Sonedecker collected his 15th of the season to open the scoring, before Callum McAuley notched his 11th on the campaign a couple of shifts later.
Another from Sonedecker late in the first period saw the T-Birds go up by three after one, after supplying his second of the frame and team-leading 16th overall.
On the power play to commence the second stanza, Owen King put Blind River on the board early by putting one past Sault Ste. Marie’s Lincoln Mellenthin, while picking up his 35th goal of the season, which are the second-most in the NOJHL so far in 2024-25.
Pulling to within one in the third period, Blind River’s Jonah McIndoo converted at 3:49 to make it closer.
Continuing to press, the Beavers tied it on an A.J. Saadeh effort to help force extra time.
Late in OT, McDowall notched the game-winner to give the Soo the victory and collect the extra point in the match-up.
Both clubs are back at it Saturday, February 1st as the Beavers host Kirkland Lake, while the Thunderbirds entertain the rival Soo Eagles in a pair of 7:00 p.m starts.
Source: NOJHL
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