Crunch halt Voodoos win streak with double OT triumph

IROQUOIS FALLS, Ont. – A Connor Lovie goal 3:56 into double overtime was the difference as the Cochrane Crunch rallied to defeat the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League-leading Powassan Voodoos 5-4 Saturday in a neutral site match-up at Jus Jordan Arena in Iroquois Falls.

With the decision, Cochrane comes away victorious in their third consecutive contest while putting an end to Powassan’s six-game unbeaten run in the process.

The Voodoos gained the upper hand early as Tyson Gilmour notched his 12 goal of the season 85 seconds into the first period only to see the Crunch counter with markers from Austin Stauffer and Haiden Karnick, a shift apart, to put Cochrane up 2-1.

Powassan would draw level however before the frame was complete as Tomas Yachmenev connected for a 15th time this season as he converted on a man advantage opportunity at 12:48.

Heading into the middle stanza, the Voodoos tallied twice to go up 4-2 after 40 minutes thanks to offensive efforts courtesy of Dylan D’Agostino and Cade Herd.

Battling back in the third, the Crunch bounced back to force extra time when Thomas Hernandez and Mitch Booth scored 23 seconds apart midway through the session.

After a scoreless first five-minute OT, it was Cochrane captain Lovie that was the hero as he beat Powassan netminder Graham Dynes with the game-winner in the latter stages to win it.

Hernandez also dished out two assists each for the Crunch with Shane Beaulieu doing likewise for the Voodoos.

Taylor Unruh made 32 saves to pick-up the victory for Cochrane while Dynes faced 40 attempts in the setback helping his side earn a point.