Voodoos dumped in OT by Rapids

A superb individual effort by Hunter Vilanez, 3:08 into overtime, was the difference maker as the French River Rapids pulled out a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Powassan Voodoos Saturday in a thrilling finish to a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League get together Saturday at Noelville Arena.

Neither side would get a goal in the first period as they hit the intermission still knotted at 0-0.

Action in the second stanza saw it remain scoreless past the midway point of the match-up, thanks to the efforts of netminders Zachary Burleigh, of French River and Powassan’s Austin Seibel.

It was the same in the back half of the session, with the game still awaiting a goal through 40 minutes.

Third period play resulted in the Voodoos breaking the deadlock, 3:09 in as Caden Dubreuil was sent in on a breakaway on a pass by Caleb Dawson and while driving to the net, cut to his right and lifted in a backhand on Burleigh for his 17th marker of the season.

Rattling off an equalizer, Jamison Gifford ripped one in from the high slot to knot the affair at 1-1 with over 13 minutes to play in regulation.

French River then went in front on a power play that saw Cameron Jansa connect from in-close as he had a couple of cracks before eventually stuffing in a bouncing puck.

Answering with a man advantage effort of their own, Justin Rousseau knocked in a rebound off a Jackson Smith chance.

Powassan then took the lead at 11:21 when Riley Misa snagged a loose puck at his own blueline, then raced in alone and made a slick move that saw him tuck the puck between the legs of Burleigh.

Battling back to force OT late in regulation, Vilanez picked off a play in his own end, then led a shorthanded rush up-ice before putting a pass across to Gifford who promptly whipped in second of the night with 1:15 to go.

Moving to extra time, Vilanez won it as he darted around a pair of defenders and wired the game-winner past the blocker of Seibel to secure the home ice triumph.