A three-goal, second-period outburst, broke open a scoreless game and helped propel the Powassan Voodoos to an eventual 4-2 triumph over the Espanola Paper Kings Friday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League encounter at the Regional Recreation Complex.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, Battalion prospect Samuel Rivet scored his first NOJHL tally, coming just over four minutes into the middle stanza, put Powassan in front as the defenceman joined a rush into the Espanola end neatly tucked in a low backhand by Paper Kings’ netminder Jack Helkie.
The Voodoos then doubled their lead near the midway mark of the proceedings when Mason Rotondo clicked in close by deftly deflecting a Justin Rousseau feed high over Helkie’s glove.
Adding another at 11:23, Owen Kahl put the visitors ahead by three as he snagged a loose puck at the top of the crease, then made a quick move to his right and snapped it in.
Espanola did solve the shutout bid of Powassan’s Tyson Wilcox with just under five minutes remaining as Carter Drigo took a play across the slot and fired an attempt towards the target that clipped off a defender and bounced into the open corner of the net.
The Voodoos got that back when Caden Kowal supplied some insurance providing an empty netter with 67 seconds remaining.
A late extra-man effort from the Paper Kings’ Drigo saw him cap off the scoring as he whipped in his second of the evening off a draw won by Grant Booth.
With the win the Voodoos move to 4-5-1 on the season.
