PHOTOS: DAWSTAR PHOTOS
POWASSAN, Ont. – A well-balanced offensive attack saw the Hearst Lumberjacks get goals from five different skaters in a 5-3 road decision over the Powassan Voodoos in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at the Powassan Sportsplex.
Emile Pichette got the guests going on the night’s initial power play as he banked one in from a sharp angle on Voodoos’ starter Daniel Dirracolo.
The home side did draw even before the first intermission though thanks to Mitch Wilkie, who put one in through traffic off a right point shot.
Another Hearst man advantage effort saw them regain the lead 8:14 into the second stanza compliments of Mason Bazaluk, as he backhanded in a rebound from close range for his sixth of the season.
It was more from the Lumberjacks later in the session as they struck twice in rapid succession to spell the end of Dirracolo’s night in favour of Powassan back-up Kannon Flageolle.
After Noah Janicki made it 3-1 by slamming in a cross-crease feed by Zachary Demers, Tyler Patterson’s 15th came as he buried a one-timer.
Getting one back in the final moments of the frame, Mathieu MacMillan brought the home team back to within two as he powered his way out from the end boards and neatly picked the short-side corner on Hearst starter Ethan Dinsdale.
Making it interesting with 2:10 left in the third, Thomas Gazich scored on the power play, and with their goalie out for another skater, as he came in on the right wing and whipped in a crisp shot.
Getting Flageolle out again to try and tie it and force overtime, the Lumberjacks countered and capped off the road triumph on a Cody Walker empty netter with just over a half minute remaining.
The result saw Hearst move one point ahead of Powassan in the league standings and improve to 18-7-2-0 overall while the Voodoos slipped to 18-7-1-0, but still holding a game in hand.