Beavers blank Paper Kings in Espanola

ESPANOLA, Ont. – A couple of late second period goals and the first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout for Ian Wintle sent the Blind River Beavers on their way to a 3-0 triumph over the Espanola Paper Kings Saturday evening at the Regional Recreation Complex.

An early man advantage helped Blind River open the scoring nearly four minutes into the first period when Wyatt Gibson put a shot on target from the right point that was stopped, but Mason Morden was right there in front to spin and slam in the rebound past Espanola goalkeeper Andrew Gaulton.

Remaining 1-0 Beavers into the second stanza, the visitors connected twice late in the frame to go up by three after 40 minutes.

Jakob Kovacs made it 2-0 at 18:51 as he wheeled out of the corner and while driving to the net, ripped an attempt upstairs from a sharp angle.

Coming right back 10 seconds later, Clark Furman collected his first NOJHL goal as he knocked in a loose puck, from the top of the crease, with help from linemates Joseph Rotilio and Bryce Burnett.

Moving to the final frame, Wintle and the Blind River defensive corps did the rest to keep Espanola off the board in securing the road win.

With a fifth straight victory helped the Beavers move to 10-2-0-0 on the season while in defeat, the Paper Kings slipped to 7-4-0-0.

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