Jacob Erwin scored twice in his Voodoos debut as Powassan defeated the winless Blind River Beavers 6-2 at the Powassan Sportsplex on Friday night.
After a quick start by the Voodoos that saw Forward Aaron Dart score on a seeing-eye shot just three minutes into the opening frame, the Beavers squared things up at one with Forward Trenk Linklater’s second goal of the season in only his second game.
It wasn’t long after that Voodoos’ newcomer Jacob Erwin, who came over from Cochrane in a trade this week for Forward Stavros Soilis, pounced on a loose puck following a great rush by line-mate Tyler Rolfe to score his first goal with the club.
Voodoos Head Coach Scott Wray shared his thoughts on Erwin’s debut.
“He’s definitely a hard worker, that’s something we noticed right after his first practice with the team,” Wray expressed.
“That’s the type of player we need; someone who is going to lead by example and battle every shift. He’s a welcomed presence in our lineup and tonight he proved why.”
Powassan added to the lead soon after with an outstanding individual effort by leading-scorer Steve Harland, who managed to beat Blind River Goaltender Zach Mills high glove-side for a shorthanded goal.
That’s how the first period looked to be ending before North Bay Battalion prospect Kyle Moore was given a game misconduct for a checking-from-behind penalty. Beavers Forward Nathan Johnson scored shortly after on the powerplay to make it a one goal game.
The second period was a different story as both teams were unable to find the offense they had in the first. Blind River held to just 5 shots in the middle session while sloppy turnovers resulted in 11 shots from the Voodoos.
It wasn’t until midway through the third period that Powassan Defenceman Traven Reed blasted home the first marker of his junior hockey career to restore the two goal lead. Jacob Erwin notched his second goal of the game in his Voodoos debut and Battalion draft pick Brendan D’Agostino finished off the scoring with his fourth of the season to make it a 6-2 final.
The Voodoos improve to 7-10-0-3 on the season with their next matchup at home Saturday night vs the NOJHL East Division leading Kirkland Lake Gold Miners. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Powassan Sportsplex.