Friday night thrillers

Blind River Beavers, Soo Eagles and Timmins Rock all scored home-ice victories in Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoff action from Friday.

BLIND RIVER BEAVERS 3, SOO THUNDERBIRDS 2

The upstart Beavers, who finished in fourth place in the West Division during the regular season, evened their best-of-seven semi-final with the top-seeded Thunderbirds in dramatic fashion.

Matthew Murray scored with three seconds remaining in the third period to give Blind River a stunning 3-2 win over the Soo and tie the series at two games apiece.

Game 5 is slated for Sunday night at 7:00 at John Rhodes Arena in the Soo.

SOO EAGLES 7, RAYSIDE BALFOUR CANADIANS 4

The Eagles shrugged off a two-goal deficit to come back and win in the face of elimination.

Caleb Wood had a pair of assists and fellow Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario product Raf Praysner scored a goal en route to the 7-4 win for the Michigan Soo.

Rayside Balfour now leads the West Division series three games to one and heads home for Game 5 on Sunday night at 6:30 at Chelmsford Arena.

TIMMINS ROCK 2, HEARST LUMBERJACKS 1

A.J. Campbell scored late in the second overtime stanza to give Timmins its third straight win of the series after an opening-game loss to the Lumberjacks in Hearst.

Game 5 in the East Division series is slated for Sunday night at 7:00 at Claude Larose Arena in Hearst.

PHOTO: Blind River Beavers celebrate their Game 4 victory.