The Powassan Voodoos scored quick and often in an eventual 9-5 rout of their rivals from Mattawa on Monday night to win back-to-back games against the Blackhawks.
The first period started with a bang as Powassan Forward David Sherman opened the scoring for the Voodoos just a minute into the game. Mattawa answered immediately, however, with Forward Philip Cloutier scoring his 6th goal of the year.
The Blackhawks would take the lead just two minutes later after Forward Marco Luciani rifled a shot over the glove of Voodoos Goaltender Matt Young to make it 2-1. Powassan replied less than a minute after with Brendan D’Agostino snapping his 15th past Net-minder Josh Horner.
Forward Aaron Dart gave Powassan the lead with a great 2-on-1 finish before eventually dropping the gloves with Mattawa winger Tanner Bowditch to end the first.
“The guys played their game right tonight,” said Voodoos Head Coach Scott Wray.
“As a Coach you want your boys to buckle down hard, work on the little things, and capitalize on their chances. We just want to keep building and keep working towards playoffs.”
After Horner was replaced by Goaltender Joe Sheppard, Mattawa didn’t waste any time squaring things up as leading scorer Tyler Broderson took advantage of a Voodoos giveaway to score shorthanded. Powassan took the lead back just seconds later with Defenceman Josh Ibbitson scoring on the powerplay to make it 4-3.
The Voodoos went on a stampede from there as Forward Kyle Moore scored his 20th goal of the season and added an assist shortly after as Sherman notched his second of the game on a great solo rush.
Forward Jake Staples and call-up Battalion prospect and Voodoos affiliate Justin Brazeau both sniped later in the middle frame to extend the Voodoos lead to 8-3.
After Powassan Defenceman Jeremy St. Pierre scored his team’s third goal with the man-advantage, the Blackhawks would score a pair of late goals to make it a 9-5 final.
Voodoos Forward and North Bay Battalion prospect Steve Harland added 2 assists in the win to move within 6 points of the Cochrane Crunch’s Cody Gratton for the NOJHL scoring lead.
With the win, the Voodoos picked up their 15th victory of the inaugural season.
Next game for Powassan is set for Friday night against the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.
