So much for the Soo sweep
Playoffs really are a different story.
Eighth-seeded Blind River Beavers spotted first-place Soo Thunderbirds a 2-0 lead and then stole a 3-2 victory in Game 1 of their opening-round, best-of-seven, Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League playoff series.
Blind River had finished 75 points back of the Soo during the regular season while losing all eight games to their Highway 17 rivals. And most folks — myself included — called for a Soo sweep of the playoff matchup.
But playing on the road at the Essar Centre in the Soo on Saturday, the Beavers got two goals from Jake Zarzycki, a third-period game winner from Jacob Boisvenue and 34 saves from Jessie Morin to upend the heavily-favoured Thunderbirds.
The Soo outshot Blind River 36-15 but the Beavers managed to convert three of those chances past Thunderbirds all-star goalie Joel Horodziejczyk.
Darcy Haines and Nathan Hebert scored the Soo goals.
Game 2 in the series goes today at 4 p.m. at Blind River Community Centre.
PHOTO: Blind River goalie Jessie Morin backstopped the Beavers to an upset win over Soo Thunderbirds on Saturday night. (Photo by Ali Pearson.)
Way to go BEAVERS!
With such a short bench you sure made us proud.
We knew you could do it.
Good luck today!
I was absolutely stunned last night when I heard about the upset! Shows just how every team has a chance to reset and show there true character in the playoffs, where your will and heart become some of your most important tools. I believe the TBirds will bounce back and still take this series, they are just too good if a team not to. However Beaver fans I will be cheering for your team, they have proved that anything is possible and I sure hope they do it three more times, cause I love the underdogs!
Congrats Beavs,
Too bad it’s not an elimination round, one game and move on, since truly I doubt BR can win 3 more. But hey, it’s a fine way to start the series! Great for team and fan morale. Good luck game 2.