Voodoos goaltender Ben Auger prepares for 3rd period action against the visiting Sudbury Nickel Barons. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.
POWASSAN – A Matt Neault goal 2:48 into the second overtime was the difference maker as the visiting Sudbury Nickel Barons pulled out a 5-4 triumph over the Powassan Voodoos Saturday night in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League contest at the Powassan Sportsplex.
After a scoreless opening 20 minutes Sudbury took the lead five and a half minutes into the middle session courtesy of Joel Lemay’s third of the campaign.
Two shifts later the Nickel Barons added to their lead thanks to an August Jarecki effort as he beat Voodoos netminder Ben Auger with a quick shot coming down his off-wing.
Midway through the contest Sudbury made it 3-0 when Brad Sutton found the mark on Auger.
Storming back the Voodoos erupted for three goals in just over four minutes to pull into a tie on an even strength effort from New Liskeard Cubs affiliate Cayse Ton and a pair of power play markers from Dante Juris and Nolan Smith and to level the proceedings at 3-3.
Sudbury went back on top 61 seconds into the third thanks to Lucas Toth’s third of the season.
Battling back Powassan forced extra time with 6:51 left in regulation when Steve Harland converted during a Voodoos power play opportunity.
The first OT solved nothing in five minutes of play sending the two sides to a second OT and there, with the two clubs playing three skaters aside, Neault fired home the winner for his initial tally in a Nickel Barons uniform to give his side the extra point on the night.
Powassan held the edge in the shots on goal department 52-42 with Jessie Morin picking up the victory and Auger the loss.
The Voodoos improve their record to 2-6-0-2 on the season.
Next on the NOJHL schedule has the Voodoos heading to Mattawa to take on the Blackhawks at 2 p.m. at Mike Rodden Arena.
