Voodoos thump Rapids to cap off their regular season with win

POWASSAN, Ont. – The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League-leading Powassan Voodoos scored three times in the first two periods then five more in the finale frame to send them on their way to a one-sided 11-2 decision over the French River Rapids Monday in the regular season finale for both clubs at the Powassan Sportsplex.

With the result, the Voodoos join the Soo Thunderbirds as the only two NOJHL clubs to record 45 or more wins twice in a season.

Powassan had 46 victories in 2016-17 while the Thunderbirds recorded a league-record 48 triumphs in 2013-14 along with 47 back in 2015-16.

Brandon MacKinnon put the Voodoos in flight three and a half minutes into the contest only to see Levi Siau tie things up for French River at 7:20 as the rookie forward notched his team-leading 22nd tally of the season.

The home side countered however with a pair of man advantage markers off the sticks of Shane Beaulieu and Aaron Dickson to take a 3-1 cushion into the intermission.

Powassan then tacked on three more in the middle session to go up 6-1 at Harrison Israels, Joseph Jordan and Tomas Yachmenev all found the back of the net,

The Jordan goal was the first in the NOJHL for the affiliate player while Yachmenev reach the 20-plateau in his initial campaign in the league.

Action in the third period saw another Powassan A.P., in Pacey Schleuting, collected his first NOJHL marker in his debut at 1:52 before Adrian Nicholas picked up his first for French River by scoring shorthanded a couple shifts later.

The Voodoos then completed the romp with goals from MacKinnon, Israels, Dickson and Cameron Moore.

Israels’ effort was his club-best 38th overall.

Tyson Gilmour chipped in with three assists for the winning squad.

Tye Sparling started for Powassan and picked up the win while Joel Rainville came in midway through the contest with the duo combining for 25 saves in the victory.

Matty Mayhew and Andrew Rocha both saw time between the pipes for the Rapids facing a total of 51 shots against in a season-ending loss.