Beavers score dramatic exhibition win over T-Birds (5 photos)

It may not have counted in the standings but the Blind River Beavers were all smiles after their exhibition win over the Soo Thunderbirds on Wednesday.

Veteran Anthony Libonati beat Thunderbirds goaltender Travis O'Brien on a partial breakaway with only 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation time to break a 6-6 tie and lift the Beavers to a 7-6 win.

The game, held at the John Rhodes Community Centre, was a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League tune up for each team.

The Thunderbirds will be back in action next Wednesday at the Rhodes as they host the Alpena IceDiggers of the North American Hockey League in another exhibition contest.

On Wednesday, both teams had difficulty responding to the NOJHL's crackdown on obstruction this season. Penalties were plentiful and 10 of the game's 13 goals were scored with the man advantage.

Thunderbirds defenseman Mark Hoffman began the dramtic finish as he scored on a four-on-three power play with 31 seconds remaining in the third period to tie the game at 5-5.

Hoffman scored earlier for a two-goal night while rookie Kyle Johnson was also impressive for the Thunderbirds with two goals and three assists.

Adam Pyymaki and Andy McMillan also scored for the Thunderbirds, who trailed 4-1 after one period and 4-3 after two. Tyler Lannigan added a pair of assists.

Libonati finished with two goals and two assists for Blind River while single goals went to Garret Bates, Rob Higgins, Jason Bird, Josh Faulkner and Jeremy Hilliard. Andre Gauvin picked up three assists while Higgins and Matt Irving set up two each.

O'Brien stopped 22 of 29 shots while the Thunderbirds fired 37 shots on the Beavers.

The Thunderbirds open the NOJHL regular season on Friday, September 16 when they host the Abitibi Eskimos at the Rhodes beginning at 7:30 p.m.

(All photos courtesy of Jim Egan)