TIMMINS, Ont. – A Justin Rousseau rising attempt from the top of the left circle, 2:24 into overtime, found its way in to give the surging Powassan Voodoos a 3-2 come from behind victory over the Timmins Rock Friday in Game 2 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division Final in front of 1,245 fans at McIntyre Arena.
With the result, the Voodoos now lead the best-of-seven affair 2-0 heading into Game 3 Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at the Powassan Sportsplex.
After letting a late lead get away in the series opener Thursday, Timmins looked to reverse their fortunes in this one.
Mason Svarich put the Rock in front five minutes into the match-up as he wheeled out from behind the net and stuffed in a wrap around on Powassan netminder Daniel Dirracolo.
The home side then added another, via the power play, to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
That tally saw Timmins defenceman Tenzin Nyman find an open Brant Romaniuk with a cross-ice pass that left him plenty of room to steer in his fourth of the playoffs.
Moving to the middle stanza, the Voodoos got on the board during a man advantage as Mathieu MacMillan sent a shot from up high that sailed past a screened Dryden Riley in the Rock net.
The visitors had a quality chance to tie it midway through the second, but Riley stymied Will Rivet from point-blank range.
They eventually drew level at 14:13 when MacMillan found Reyth Smith in behind the Timmins defence, who powered his way in and ripped a shot high blocker side, with the Powassan duo now having points in all seven playoff games the club has played.
Looking to regain the lead in the waning moments of the frame, the Rock’s Nolan Ring broke in alone on a breakaway, but was denied by the outstretched pad of Dirracolo.
Action in the third saw another big save by the Voodoos’ goaltender to keep it tied.
Remaining even through the remainder of regulation, the clubs headed to OT for a second-straight night.
There Rousseau won it as he snagged a clearing attempt off a shot by teammate Zach Turner and whipped in the game-winner to help the Voodoos improve to 5-0 in extra time in these playoffs.
NOJHL East Final
Powassan Voodoos vs. Timmins Rock
Powassan leads best-of-seven series 2-0
Game 1: Voodoos 3 Rock 2 (OT)
Game 2: Voodoos 3 Rock 2 (OT)
Game 3: Sunday, April 7 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 4: Monday, April 8 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 5*: Thursday, April 11 @ Timmins 7:30 p.m. (McIntyre Arena)
Game 6*: Saturday, April 13 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 16 @ Timmins 7:30 p.m. (McIntyre Arena)
*-if necessary
Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
