POWASSAN, Ont. – An Ethan Pool power play tally, with five and a half minutes remaining in regulation, proved to be the difference maker as the Timmins Rock went on to defeat the Powassan Voodoos 5-3 and complete a four-game sweep of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s East Division final at the Powassan Sportsplex.
The outcome now sends Timmins in the NOJHL championship series versus either the Soo Thunderbirds or Greater Sudbury Cubs.
Notching Tuesday night’s initial marker, nine minutes into the contest, the visiting Rock saw Harry Clark drive to the net on a two-on-one and lift a backhand that was initially stopped by the Voodoos’ Daniel Dirracolo, but saw the puck clip off a Powassan defender and fall into the net.
Getting the equalizer via a man advantage, the home side saw Chase Strychaluk send a sharp pass across to Rhys Smethem on the left side where he wasted little time in whipping a shot that flew Timmins netminder Patrick Boivin at 6:40 of the second period.
Powassan then took the lead five minutes later when Michael MacLean was fed by Smetham in front and buried his chance from in close off some sustained Voodoos’ pressure.
The Rock came right back to tie it while up a skater as Nicholas Frederick had a couple of whacks off a rebound of a Nicolas Pigeon attempt and eventually stuffed in his fourth of the playoffs.
Playing four aside late in the session, Liam Serviss spotted Nicholas Liotino pinching in from the point and coming in the back door and sent him a perfect pass across that was guided in at 19:21 to give the hosts the leads after two.
Action in the third saw Timmins draw even when Lucas Lowe deflected in a Christophe Petit pass from the right side.
Special teams then helped the Rock go in front with 5:34 remaining as Pool knocked down a puck off a goal-mouth scramble and lifted it by Dirracolo from the left of the net.
Powassan pressed to tie it late into the proceedings, however Nolan Ring secured the result with a long-range empty netter to give Timmins the East Division crown and book their place in the league final.
NOJHL East Division Final
Game 1: Rock 4 Voodoos 3
Game 2: Rock 5 Voodoos 0
Game 3: Rock 5 Voodoos 2
Game 4: Rock 5 Voodoos 3
Timmins wins best-of-seven series 4-0
