POWASSAN, Ont. – A four-goal second period outburst sent the Powassan Voodoos on their way to an eventual 4-2 victory over the visiting French River Rapids Friday evening in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League get together at the Powassan Sportsplex.
While the Voodoos carried the majority of play in the first period, it was French River that scored first, while shorthanded, deep in the session.
That marker came about after a Powassan player lost his footing and allowed the Rapids break down the ice on a two-on-one where Matthew Campanella put a pass in front that was quickly whipped in by Abram Snider at 18:04.
Heading to the middle stanza, the Voodoos countered with the equalizer a minute in with Carson Ricci starting a rush up ice then joined in to push in a Conor O’Brien feed into the corner on Rapids’ goalkeeper Ben Gustafson.
Not down there, the home side took the lead at 5:36 thanks to Mathieu MacMillan converting by tipping in a Mitch Wilkie shot from the point out of mid-air.
Adding another, Powassan went up 3-1 before the half-way point of the proceedings when Liam Serviss’ cross-ice pass found defenceman Alex Little coming in the back door where he whistled it past Gustafson.
A fourth Voodoos tally came while on the man advantage when O’Brien drove to the net and lifted in a rising backhand for his third of the year.
Getting one back a minute later, French River won a face off and got it to Adam Boucher at the left point where he fired one, short side, past a screened Kannon Flageolle in the Powassan net.
In the third, neither side would convert offensively as the Voodoos put an end to a mini two-game winless drought.
The two teams are right back it Saturday as they finish off a weekend home-and-home in a 7 p.m. start at Noelville Arena.
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel