It was a good night for Graydon Guthrie saw the Espanola Paper Kings forward score twice and help set-up another as part of a 5-1 victory versus the Powassan Voodoos in a chippy Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest Friday at the Regional Recreation Complex.
Coming in with pace, Espanola opened the scoring just over six minutes into the match-up when Guthrie put a pass across to Grant Booth, who quickly whipped it upstairs on Powassan goaltender Tyson Wilcox.
The assist for Guthrie was his 100th point in the NOJHL, while Jack Anderson added the second helper to see him run a point streak to six in succession.
Adding another for the Paper Kings a couple of shifts later, Guthrie swatted in a rebound off a Kaden Wicklander attempt during a power play.
Cutting into the deficit at 4:07, the Voodoos broke up a play at their own blueline that led to a pass up ice by Adam McKillop to Marcus Krats who worked his way past the Espanola defence and muscled in a backhand on goalkeeper Jack Helkie.
However, the home side was quick to regroup by banging in a pair rapid succession to go ahead 4-1.
Their third on the night came on a man advantage as Aidan Rufa took a Kaden Wicklander feed between the circles and sizzled it past Wilcox at 6:05.
Then right after that, a turnover in front led to Aleksander pumping in a rebound off a Carter Drigo chance.
In the final frame, Guthrie added some insurance midway through while up a skater as he battled in front and jammed in a second opportunity from the top of the crease.
That proved to be the evening’s marker.
The win sees the Paper Kings move to within six points of Powassan as well as take sole possession of eighth place in the NOJHL standings in a quest for a playoff spot in which the Top 8 teams will qualify for the postseason.
The Voodoos are back in action Sunday night in Hearst as they travel north for a 7:30 p.m. drop against the Lumberjacks.