Powassan prevails in Espanola

The Powassan Voodoos built up a three-goal cushion into the third period before needing to hold off a late push by the Espanola Paper Kings and prevailing 4-3 Friday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at the Regional Recreation Complex.

The NOJHL’s leading goal-getter, Cameron Menard, put the Paper Kings on the board early in the contest as he had three in-close cracks on Voodoos’ netminder Derrick Champagne before eventually jamming in his 28th tally of the season.

Pulling even on the power play, Caleb Dawson drew Powassan level when he swatted in a puck put his way for his 13th marker overall.

Knotted at 1-1 into the middle frame, the visitors took the lead when defenceman Marcus Krats was sent in alone on a breakaway, where with speed fired a low shot under Espanola’s Jack Helkie.

Going up by a pair in the third, the Voodoos’ Pavel Barclay raced up ice on a one-on-one and while moving to his right, sent a shot back the other way into the top left corner.

They then clicked on the man advantage moments later to make it 4-1 after captain Justin Rousseau shoveled in a chance laying at the top of the crease to run a point streak to five.

Countering with an extra-man effort of their own, the Paper Kings saw an attempt from below the goal line pinball off Noah Logan and into the net.

Menard then notched his second of the evening, and 29th overall, with 3:01 remaining to make it real interesting as he snagged a loose puck in close and tucked it past the outstretched pad of a downed Champagne. 

Then when Helkie out for an extra attacker, the home side pressured to equalize and force overtime, but after one final chance went under the stick of an open forward in front, the clock ran out and Powassan skated away with the narrow triumph.

Now winners of four straight, the Voodoos improved to 16-7-0-2.

With the loss, Espanola drops to 17-11-0-1.