Voodoos can't hold back surging Cubs

A Samuel Assinewai power play goal with less that five minutes remaining in regulation proved to be the decider in a 3-2 Greater Sudbury Cubs victory over the Powassan Voodoos in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Thursday at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.

Notching the night’s initial marker, Powassan clicked on a man advantage at 9:25 of the first period as defenceman Lucas de Caluwe kept in a clearing attempt and fed Caden Dubreuil on the left side who whipped a shot by Greater Sudbury goalkeeper Matthew Vahramian.

Answering with an equalizer a couple of shifts later, Cubs’ captain Mason Chitaroni drew the home side level by driving to the net and lifting a rising backhand over the shoulder of Voodoos’ netminder Austin Seibel.

The tally gives Chitaroni, along with Assinewai, who assisted on the effort, points in each of their past five outings.

Heading to the middle frame, Powassan went back on top as they countered in transition in the neutral zone and pushed a play ahead that allowed Owen Kahl to wire a wrister from the right circle past Vahramian.

Staying 2-1 for the guests into the third, Greater Sudbury was credited with the tying tally, following discussions amongst the officials, that was deemed to have resulted in Devon Jones-McDonald managing to squeeze one across the goal line through Seibel at 7:03 for his initial league marker.

They then got the eventual game-winner, while up a skater in the late going, after Assinewai corralled a loose puck and stuffed it in with bodies battling in front.

Powassan got their netminder out in the final minute for an extra attacker, but the Cubs held firm to pick up their eighth straight triumph.

With the result, Greater Sudbury improves to a NOJHL-best record of 9-1-1-1.

With the hard-luck setback, the Voodoos slipped to 3-5-0-1. The Voodoos will look to get back into the win column on Friday night as they travel to Espanola to take on the Paper Kings.