Big 2nd period sends Voodoos past Rock in series-opening triumph

POWASSAN, Ont. – Storming back from an early deficit, the Powassan Voodoos erupted for five second period goals to send them on their way to a 5-2 triumph over the Timmins Rock Friday evening in Game 1 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division semifinal at the Powassan Sportsplex.

Timmins got off to a solid start as they grabbed a 1-0 lead on a Derek Seguin effort 12:17 into the contest to put the visitors in front heading into the middle stanza.

It was totally different in the second frame though as the high-flying Voodoos took off.

Powassan’s Dylan D’Agostino tied it at 3:16 before teammate Cade Herd put the home side ahead just 40 seconds later.

They kept coming with Kobe Desmond making it 3-1 at 7:10.

From there the Voodoos continued to soar picking up markers from Shane Beaulieu at even strength then Ryan Theriault shorthanded in the final minute to extend their cushion.

A man advantage in the latter stages of the contest helped Timmins get one back thanks to Riley Brosseau, but Powassan held on from there to secure the victory.

Julian Galloway made 19 stops to record the win in his NOJHL playoff debut in net.

Rock netminder Tyler Masternak suffered the setback in two periods of work, seeing 31 shots fired his way in defeat.

Eric Jackson meanwhile played the third for Timmins and handled all seven attempts he faced in relief.

Game 2 of the series goes Saturday at 7 p.m. back in Powassan.

The Voodoos have now won 13 straight NOJHL playoff games dating back to last season.

NOJHL Playoffs

Series C
East Division semifinal
No. 1 Powassan Voodoos vs. No. 5 Timmins Rock
Powassan leads best-of-seven series 1-0
Game 1: Powassan 5 Timmins 2
Game 2: Saturday, March 17 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Sportsplex)
Game 3: Tuesday, March 20 @ Timmins 7 p.m. (McIntyre)
Game 4: Wednesday, March 21 @ Timmins 7 p.m. (McIntyre)
Game 5*: Friday, March 23 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Sportsplex)
Game 6*: Sunday, March 25 @ Timmins 7 p.m. (McIntyre)
Game7*: Tuesday, March 27 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Sportsplex)
*- if necessary