ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s leading goal getter notched No. 21 at an opportune time as Caleb Serre’s marker with just under six minutes remaining proved to be the game-winner as the Blind River Beavers battled back to slip past the Elliot Lake Wildcats 2-1 in a match-up held Sunday evening at Centennial Arena.
Following a scoreless first frame, Elliot Lake got going offensively 4:38 into the second session when Owen Kruse collected his fourth goal of the campaign.
Picking up one of the assists on the play was Wildcats captain Connor Taylor who extended a consecutive game point streak to an impressive 13 straight outings with the helper.
That lead held up until the 5:13 mark of the third period when Blind River’s Logan Gallagher notched the equalizer with help from Lucas Adams and Justin Mauro.
Then following a scrambled draw, deep in Elliot Lake territory, Serre emerged with the puck after the face off and quickly fired the difference maker past Wildcats netminder Parker Simpson.
The marker was the 199th point in his NOJHL career leaving him just one shy of the 200 plateau while Serre has scored at least once in 15 of his club’s first 19 outings this season.
The home side pulled their goalkeeper late in regulation to try and force overtime, but the Beavers held on to secure the narrow road triumph.
Shot on goal in the contest saw Blind River hold a 48-35 edge with Jackson Hjelle recording the victory while Simpson suffered the setback despite a 46-save performance.
Game Photos courtesy of Northern Exposures Photography