Eagles edge Voodoos

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – A Coby Fox marker, just over seven minutes into the third period, held up as the game-winner as the Soo Eagles went on to edge the Powassan Voodoos 3-2 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League meeting Saturday in front of 711 fans at Pullar Stadium.

Needing just 31 seconds to opening the scoring, Sault Ste. Marie’s Michael Szlag slammed in a big rebound off a Michael Stec point shot, from the left of Powassan goalkeeper Daniel Dirracolo.

The Eagles power play then went to work with 6:25 left in the first period as Jack Paweski collected a loose puck on the side boards then wheeled to the slot where he ripped a shot past the Voodoos’ goalkeeper.

Second period play saw Powassan cut into the deficit past the midway mark of the frame as Jack Kelly went to the net and lifted a chance by Soo goalkeeper Logan Raffaele.

Fox of the Eagles made it 3-1 in the third as he tucked in a backhand off after being foiled on an original opportunity.

Answering 25 seconds later, Voodoos’ defenceman Nicholas Liotino went in unchallenged and knocked in a cross-ice set-up from Thomas Gazich.

Powassan eventually got their goalkeeper out late for an extra skater in an effort to try and force overtime, but the Soo held firm to secure the home ice triumph.

The result sees the Eagles move to 24-26-4-1 on the season while in defeat, the Voodoos fall to 36-18-1-0.