Late goal pulls Beavers on even terms with Thunderbirds

The Soo Thunderbirds will return home on even terms on Sunday night.

Matthew Murray scored with three seconds to go in regulation time to give the Blind River Beavers a 3-2 win over the Thunderbirds at the Blind River Community Centre.

With the win, the Beavers evened the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division semifinal between the two clubs at two.

Murray finished the night with a pair of goals as he scored a goal late in the opening period on the power play.

Ryan Peck had the other goal for Blind River, also on the power play. Ryan Mulligan and Calbe Serre assisted on two goals each for the Beavers.

Beavers goaltender Jackson Hjelle stopped 29 shots while his counterpart for the Thunderbirds, Colin Ahern, stopped 31.

Tanner Mayne and Max Techel scored for the Thunderbirds.

In game three on Tuesday night, Nathan Engel scored what was the eventual game-winner late in the second period as the Beavers beat the Thunderbirds by the same 3-2 score.

Peck had a goal and an assist in the game three win while Jordan Ritchie also scored.

Hjelle made 20 saves.

Lucas Theriault and Spencer Van Tiem scored for the Thunderbirds while Ahern made 26 saves in game three.

Game five is set for Sunday night in Sault Ste. Marie at the John Rhodes Community Centre while game six is set for March 26 in Blind River. Puck drop for both games is set for 7 p.m.