POWASSAN, Ont. – A Ryan Mills power play goal 6:43 into the third period proved to be the game-winner as the Powassan Voodoos went on to defeat the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League-leading Kirkland Lake Gold Miners 4-2 Friday night at the Powassan Sportsplex.
The hometown Voodoos notched the lone tally of the first period as Cade Herd collected his NOJHL-best 13th marker 2:14 into the contest.
Kirkland Lake was quick to equalize to begin the second stanza thanks to Vinny DeSanctis as he picked up his third of the campaign 47 seconds into the middle session.
Powassan came right back two minutes later to regain the lead with Tomas Yachmenev scoring for a ninth time.
The back of forth affair saw the Gold Miners draw level once more when Colin Cromie tied it at 4:18.
It stayed that way until the final frame thanks to Mills who supplied the eventual difference maker with the Voodoos on the man advantage.
Kirkland Lake pulled their netminder Gregory Brassard late to try and tie it yet again and force overtime, however Joe Whittet scored into an empty net in the final minute to secure the win for the home side.
Herd had a big night in all as he assisted on the other three tallies his club provided to go with his goal as he capped off a four-point night for the second time this season and fifth time in his career.
A veteran of 119 career games, Herd has played at over a point-per-game pace with 121 to his credit on 40 goals and 81 assists.
Voodoos’ goaltender Joe Vrbetic made 25 saves to record the with while Brassard finished with 32 stops for Kirkland Lake as he suffered his first loss of the year slipping to 9-1 overall.
