Eskis goalie Chet Tooker comes out of his crease to get a rebound. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.
After winning both games last weekend, the Voodoos continued their success on the offensive side as they managed to put up seven goals on the night. Even though the Voodoos clicked offensively, they didn't manage to walk away with any points. It was a great come back effort for the Voodoos in the third period, but the Eski came out to play and came out with an 8-7 victory over the Voodoos.
Going into this game, the Abitibi Eskimos were short staffed and the Voodoos missed a glorious opportunity to gain potential points. The Eskimos were playing without some of their top players such as Brady Cloutheir and Brendan Locke and Ryan Kerr, as they were invited to represent Team NOJHL at the Central Canada Cup.
Powassan Voodoos Head Coach Scott Wray knows the opportunity his team missed out on considering the circumstances going into the game.
“We knew how big of a game it was for our team, being seven points behind we wanted this win,” said Wray after the game.
“You also say they're missing their top guys but their other guys stepped up and played well. It's just the little things that you'll look back on and know that we could've done better to avoid some of their goals. There were a couple of fly by's in our own end and not being responsible in our own end up costing us.”
The Voodoos came out in the first period and quickly put up two goals. The Eskimos countered with two of their own goals to tie it up, then Sudbury Wolves prospect Michael Silveri put up another goal to make it 3-2 for Powassan going into intermission. During the second period of play, roles were switched between the teams as the Eski's came out and put up three goals and the Voodoos contributing two goals.
In the third period, Ryan Tront scored for his second time in the game then Blake Cudmore put two more pucks behind the net which made it 8-5 for Abitibi. With four minutes left in what seemed to be like a game which was over, the Voodoos gave it one last try. Steve Harland and Nolan Smith put up two goals and made it an interesting game. Although their come back efforts fell short, Scott Wray admitted that he was mad they lost, but was proud of how his team fought hard to the end.
“This one's going to a tough one for the guys to swallow,” said Wray.
“They were down 8-5 and then they scratched and clawed their way back into the game. Harland had a breakaway with a minute left in the game and If I had to choose someone to be on that break away I would've picked him. In the end, it just wasn't meant to be and it is a process for our team. We're a young team, with such a young team, the experience of knowing how to put these games away comes with playing, so now we just have to draw from it.”
The Powassan Voodos will look to bounce back against Blind River Beavers Friday and then Kirkland Lake Gold Miners on Saturday. The games will take place at the Powassan Sportsplex and puck drop will be at 7:30 for both games.
