Voodoos edge Lumberjacks on Ricci's OT winner

A Carson Ricci man advantage marker, just over two minutes into overtime, was the difference as the Powassan Voodoos slipped past the Hearst Lumberjacks 2-1 in a tightly-contested Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair Tuesday at the Powassan Sportsplex.

Shaping up to be a first round NOJHL East Division playoff series, Powassan gained the early edge during a first period power play when Dylan McElhinny banged in a rebound off a Ryan Patrick right point shot, that eluded Hearst goalkeeper Russ Decoste.

Staying 1-0 for the Voodoos into the second stanza, the Lumberjacks drew level just past the midway mark of the session when Liam Boswell tipped in a William Pâquet attempt from the high slot, that eluded Powassan netminder Daniel Dirracolo, who had replaced starter Patrick Charette to commence the frame due to an injury. 

Still 1-1 into the third, neither club would convert there with the clubs remaining knotted in the low-scoring contest.

Up a skater heading into OT, the home side capitalized off the stick of Ricci to end it as he took a crisp cross-ice feed from McElhinny and promptly whipped it into the open side for the game-winner.

The victory helps the Voodoos improve to 32-18-1-2 on the campaign, while picking up a point in the extra time setback, the Lumberjacks slip to 31-15-4-2 and remain just ahead of Powassan in clash for second spot in the NOJHL East.