NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Thursday, April 20, 2017
Powassan takes commanding 3-0 lead on Blind River in NOJHL final
BLIND RIVER, Ont. – The Powassan Voodoos rebounded from an early one-goal deficit then went on to notch six unanswered goals as they defeated the Blind River Beavers 6-1 Thursday evening in Game 3 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy championship series at the Blind River Community Centre.
With the outcome, Powassan now leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and will have a chance to claim their first-ever NOJHL championship Friday evening in Game 4, which gets underway at 7 p.m. back in Blind River.
The Beavers did get off to a good start picking up the night’s opening tally just moments after a Powassan penalty had expired as Tristen Bernard redirected as left point shot from Noah Medalsy from in front of Voodoos netminder Nate McDonald at 8:47 for his first of the postseason.
Picking up a man advantage of their own later in the session, the visitors drew level at 13:43 after moving the puck around nicely that eventually saw Andy Baker work his way out from the side of the net where he outwaited Blind River’s Aidan Doak and tucked in his fifth of the playoffs.
Powassan got the eventual difference maker early in the second after Bo Peltier’s shot from the blueline rattled off the post and out to Dylan D’Agostino who knocked in the go ahead marker into an open net.
Another power play helped the Voodoos go up 3-1 as Justin Schebel registered his first playoff goal, at 8:54 of the second, as he was allowed to sneak in the back door and calmly wired his attempt high past Doak to put Powassan up by two after 40 minutes.
The Voodoos then broke it open in the final frame getting goals just over a minute apart from Gary Mantz and Shane Beaulieu before the third was 10 minutes old.
Parker Bowman’s league-leading 11th of the postseason with 5:14 remaining rounded out the night’s scoring and put Powassan a win away from the NOJHL title.
“We weathered the storm early in the first 10 minutes,” offered Schebel on the triumph.
“We got down early, but battled back. Got pucks deep and worked their defence down low. Everyone contributed tonight,” added the Voodoos’ rookie rearguard.
Tyson Gilmour dished out three assists to aid the Voodoos’ cause while Mantz and Rhys Brown had two helpers apiece.
The results saw Powassan win their 11th straight playoff game while McDonald made 25 saves to record his 11th consecutive victory.
“It was a great team win tonight,”said McDonald. “All four lines contributed and we’re really happy with the position that we’ve put ourselves in going into game 4,” finalized the NOJHL MVP.
Mantz meanwhile ran a point streak to 11 with his three-point night.
Doak faced 26 shots in defeat for Blind River.
The NOJHL winner will advance to the Dudley-Hewitt Cup Central Canada Jr. A Championship, May 2-6 in Trenton, Ont.
All games in the Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy final will be streamed live online at HockeyTV.com.
NOJHL Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy League Championship Series schedule
Powassan Voodoos vs. Blind River Beavers
Powassan leads best-of-seven series 3-0
Game 1: Powassan 4 Blind River 1
Game 2: Powassan 3 Blind River 2
Game 3: Powassan 6 Blind River 1
Game 4: Friday, April 21 @ Blind River 7 p.m. (Community Centre)
Game 5*: Sunday, April 23 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Sportsplex)
Game 6*: Tuesday, April 25 @ Blind River 7 p.m. (Community Centre)
Game 7*: Thursday, April 27 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Sportsplex)
*-if necessary
