PHOTOS: DAWSTAR PHOTOS
POWASSAN, Ont. – A Tucker Shields sizzling wrist shot goal with just under seven minutes remaining in regulation proved to be the difference as the Powassan Voodoos got by the Soo Eagles 4-3 Saturday for their seventh straight Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League victory, in a meeting at the Powassan Sportsplex.
Plenty of action in the opening 20 minutes saw each side tally twice.
Chase Thompson began the offensive outburst for the Voodoos at 8:18 as he powered his way into the Eagles zone, then split the defence, and fired a low attempt under Sault Ste. Marie starter Logan Raffaele.
Answering a minute and a half later, the visitors drew level, via the power play, with Jack Mortson sniping from the left circle with a crisp wrist shot for his team-leading 13th marker of the campaign.
Up a skater again, the Soo went in front at 12:58 when Colin Handy cranked a one-timer from the point that sailed past Powassan netminder Daniel Dirracolo.
Countering with the equalizer before the intermission, Liam Serviss fired a shot off the post and in from the left of a partially screened Raffaele.
Second period play saw the Eagles go back in front early after a Colin McMahon attempt from inside the blueline was stopped, but Teig Driesson was there during a goal-mouth scramble to shovel in his first NOJHL goal.
Back and forth they with the hosts evening the score once more after a bouncing Jack Kelly feed allowed Kaedyn Long to dash into the Soo zone on a one-on-two rush, and while using a defender as a screen, neatly picked the right-hand corner for his fifth of the year.
In the final frame, Shields collected the game-winner by skating just over the blueline and ripping a shot that flew by Raffaelle for his 10th tally of the season.
That also saw him score for a fourth consecutive outing and run a point streak to six in succession.
Getting their goalkeeper out for the extra attacker in the late going, the Soo pressed to tie it and send the affair to overtime.
However, the hosts held firm to secure the decision and keep their win streak in tact.
Their efforts also helped them improve to 15-6-0-0 on the season while the Eagles fell to 8-6-2-0 in defeat.
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
