Eagles take 8th straight to end Voodoos lengthy streak

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Soo Eagles got a goal and two assists from Brice French and Joel Brandinger to help defeat the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League-leading Powassan Voodoos 5-1 Saturday at Pullar Stadium to win their eighth consecutive contest while also putting an end to an impressive 21-game victory run by the Voodoos.

Down a man deep into the first period, Powassan struck shorthanded at 17:14 thanks to Sam Ellwood to take the lead.

However, Sault Ste. Marie capitalized while still on the power play that saw Dominic Skrelja collect his 13th tally while recording his 70th NOJHL point.

The Eagles took the lead three and a half minutes into the middle session as Brandinger tallied for a third straight contest to put the hosts in front.

After Soo starter Shane Brancato stymied a Voodoos penalty shot, the home side clicked on the power play at 10:54 with French knocking in his sixth.

Not done there, they added another a couple of shifts later thanks to Tommy Buis to make it 4-1 and spell the end of Powassan starter Luke Greenwood in favour of Owen Say.

Yet another extra-man conversion saw the Soo take a 5-1 lead after two periods of play as Jake Lamberty extended the cushion to four.

The Eagles then stood firm defensively the rest of the way to keep their winning streak going while stopping the Voodoos solid streak.

Brancato ended up with 28 saves to come away victorious for a sixth straight start.

Meanwhile Greenwood suffered the loss for Powassan, allowing four against on 17 shots, with Say stopping 14 of 15 in 27 and a half minutes of relief.