Photos: voodooshockey.com
POWASSAN, Ont. – Powassan Voodoos goalkeeper Declan McNamara posted a shutout in his Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League debut while his teammates recorded a trio of special teams tallies as part of a 4-0 defeat of the French River Rapids Wednesday in a mid-week matchup at the Powassan Sportsplex.
A feeling out process for most of the first period saw the contest remain scoreless deep into the session before the Voodoos clicked on late power play to take a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
On the marker, Powassan product Scott Szczygiel notched his initial NOJHL goal by stuffing in a play put to the crease from the side of the net by Anthony Boyes that eluded French River starter Gavin Zuccato at 18:31.
In the middle stanza, the home side extended their edge while shorthanded as Owen Smith darted up ice with speed after winning draw in his own zone then corralled a lengthy feed put his way by Caleb Dawson, prior to skating in and roofing a wrist shot on Zuccato.
Adding to the home-ice victory in the third, another man-down effort saw the Voodoos help secure the result.
There, Dawson chipped the puck off the side boards and after stepping around a defender, snapped in a low attempt from the right circle.
Powassan then wrapped it up in the final minute of regulation as Gavin Pich took a headman pass from Jackson Marnell, which led to him firing a shot from in deep, just below the goal line, that clipped off the skate of a Rapids defenceman and bounce in.
Next up for each club sees French River travel to Timmins Friday to meet the Rock while Powassan visits Elliot Lake for a game against the Vikings on Saturday.
