GALLERY: Timmins blanks Powassan to extend series lead

TIMMINS, Ont. – The Timmins Rock rode the strength of a four-goal third period, and the shutout goaltending of Patrick Boivin, to blank the Powassan Voodoos 5-0 Friday in Game 2 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s East Division final, at McIntyre Arena, with 1,311 spectators on hand.

With the outcome, the Rock now lead the best-of-seven set 2-0, heading into Game 3 Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Powassan Sportsplex.

Some crafty passing on an early power play helped Timmins open the scoring when saw Lucas Piekarczyk put a feed across that was quickly swatted into the open side by Nicholas Frederick, that left Powassan netminder Kannon Flageolle with little chance.

The Rock held a big edge in shots throughout the frame, but could not connect again as they carried their 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Action in the middle frame saw a tightly-contested session see both Flageolle and Boivin hold the fort in a scoreless frame as the home side carried their slim lead into the third period.

There, they extended their edge just over two minutes in when Ethan Pool picked off a clearing attempt, skated in and went top shelf for his second goal of the series.

Adding another on a man advantage at 6:13, Frederick notched another after Piekarczyk kicked the puck across to him with his skate, which allowed him to fire it into the back of the net.

Building on that, a solid check in the neutral zone helped Timmins come in on a two-on-one and saw Nolan Ring set-up Brandon Rossetti, who quickly buried his chance.

With the Voodoos opting to pull their goalie on a power play midway through the third in an attempt to get back in into the match-up, it was the Rock who took advantage when Ring sent one from long range into the empty net for a shorthanded tally to put the game away.

Boivin and his defensive corps did the rest to secure the shutout and put Timmins ahead in the series with their two triumphs.

NOJHL East Division Final

Game 1: Rock 4 Voodoos 3
Game 2: Rock 5 Voodoos 0
Game 3: Sunday, April 9 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)

Game 4: Tuesday, April 11 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 5*: Wednesday, April 12 @ Timmins 7 p.m. (McIntyre Arena)
Game 6*: Saturday, April 15 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 18 @ Timmins 7 p.m. (McIntyre Arena)
*-if necessary

Timmins leads best-of-seven series 2-0


Game Photos:
Thomas Perry – 
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network