POWASSAN, Ont. – After coming close in his last start, Powassan Voodoos goaltender Joe Vrbetic was there to finish the deal Friday as he registered his first Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout, a 2-0 victory over the visiting Timmins Rock, at the Powassan Sportsplex.
Following a scoreless first period, Powassan got the board 12 and a half minutes into the second stanza when Tomas Yachmenev notched his career single-season-best 21st tally of the campaign.
It was more Voodoos later the in the middle frame as Rico Rossi finished off David Campbell’s second assist of the night at 15:31 to give the hosts a two-goal cushion heading into the second intermission.
Vrbetic did the rest, finishing with 36 saves on the night in keeping the Rock off the score sheet.
The outcome sees Powassan pick up their 30 win of the season as they improved to 30-19-1-1 on the campaign and move to within one point of now 30-19-3-0 Timmins in the ever-tight NOJHL East standings.
Rock starter Tyler Masternak faced 24 attempts in defeat.