Powassan Voodoos’ goalkeeper Daniel Dirracolo handled every shot he faced Saturday to record his initial Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League shutout, as part of a 5-0 win over the Cochrane Crunch at the Powassan Sportsplex.
The Voodoos took flight near the five-minute mark of the match-up on Ryan Patrick’s power play effort, for his opening NOJHL marker.
Tacking on two more late in the first period, Powassan’s Mathieu MacMillan, at even strength, and Alex Little, via man advantage, sent their side to the dressing room up 3-0 after one.
Second period play saw the home side strike quickly as rookie Rhys Smetham collected his first NOJHL goal.
Building on that, MacMillan bagged another on the evening with another effort just prior to the eight-minute mark.
Taking their 5-0 lead into the final stanza, the Voodoos held firm defensively to collect the win.
While Dirracolo notched the victory, Voodoos new head coach Peter Goulet also collected his initial league triumph.
Cochrane starter Nicholas Summers and back-up Jake Dubinsky both saw time in defeat with Dubinsky stopping 27 of 28 in relief.
The Voodoos are back on this ice next Friday, September 16 as they host the visiting the now 3-0 Sudbury Cubs. Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Powassan Sportsplex.
