saultsports Photos: Allyson Demers
KIRKLAND LAKE, Ont. – Getting two goals apiece from A.J. Saadeh and Kalyn McQueen, the Blind River Beavers went on to drop the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 6-1 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Friday at the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex.
A fortuitous bounce off a stanchion after a dump in gave Blind River the early lead when Saadeh saw his attempt into the Kirkland Lake end deflect off the glass and fool netminder Mason Janicki as the deflection found its way in, 34 seconds into the match-up.
The Beavers then bagged another four minutes later when McQueen cranked a blast from the slot high over the glove of Gold Miners’ goaltender.
Kirkland Lake got one back while up a skater when Evan Snyder fired a pass across to Jordan Fitger, who quickly whipped it over the outstretched glove of Blind River’s Connor Dunham-Fox.
Moving to the middle frame, the visitors went back up by a pair after a long up-ice feed from defenceman Mattis Lafond found Wyatt Gibson, who went in alone and made a move to his left prior to elevating the puck over the outstretched pad of Janicki at 1:27.
Scoring for a 20th time in his past 19 games, Owen King made it 4-1 by snapping in a rebound from a sharp angle during a man advantage.
Extending their lead in the final frame, McQueen notched another as he was set-up down low by Mason Taylor and fired a shot through Janicki from the left side.
The Beavers’ Saadeh then rounded out the scoring in the late going by pumping one through a screen from the left point to complete a two-tally night.
Each team resumes play Saturday, with Blind River heading to Powassan while Kirkland Lake hosts the Soo Eagles.
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