TIMMINS, Ont. – Mathieu MacMillan’s second goal of the game, coming 15:14 into overtime, saw the Powassan Voodoos strike twice late in regulation before eventually shocking the Timmins Rock 3-2 Thursday in Game 1 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division Final at McIntyre Arena.
Picking up the night’s initial marker, 15 and a half minutes into the match-up, Kaeden McArthur gave Timmins the lead as he steered in a cross-ice pass from Harry Clark by Powassan’s Daniel Dirracolo, during a delayed penalty.
Second period play saw the Rock hold a big edge in shots, however neither side converted offensively to keep it a 1-0 score line after two.
Up a skater early in the third, the home side added to their edge when Liam Wells was allowed to work his way to the net from along the goal line and had him stuff in a backhand off a second opportunity, while falling, as he was driving through the crease.
Getting Dirracolo out for an additional skater in the late going, the Voodoos finally solved Timmins netminder Patrick Boivin with 2:40 remaining in regulation.
The tally saw MacMillan bang in a bouncing puck from in close off a Reyth Smith right circle attempt.
That gave both skaters points in six straight playoff games.
Building on that, Powassan tacked on another, with their goalkeeper on the bench once more, to send it to extra time as Tucker Shields snagged a Cameron Lemcke point shot off the end boards and fired it over the shoulder of Boivin at 18:29.
Heading to extra time, the Voodoos pressed the pace with a number of quality chances, while the Rock rang two attempts off the post.
However, Powassan completed the comeback with their fourth OT triumph of the playoffs when MacMillan banged in the game-winner on a rebound off a Smith shot that was initially saved by the pad of Boivin.
The series resumes Friday back in Timmins at 7:30 p.m.
NOJHL East Final
Powassan Voodoos vs. Timmins Rock
Powassan leads best-of-seven series 1-0
Game 1: Voodoos 3 Rock 2 (OT)
Game 2: Friday, April 5 @ Timmins 7:30 p.m. (McIntyre Arena)
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
