After a scheduling snafu saw an exhibition tilt against the Kingston Voyageurs wiped out, the Voodoos played an intrasquad Green & White game before a healthy crowd at the Powassan Sportsplex. In a game that featured end-to-end rushing, solid bodychecking, and top-notch goaltending, Green prevailed over White by a 4-2 score.
It is not so much the tallies on the scoresheet that impressed Head Coach Scott Wray, but the edge the players competed with. There has been no coasting this training camp. "It's nice to see when you have three quarters of a team signed and they're coming out with that kind of intensity," said Wray.
"There is a lot of good young talent out there. We've got a lot of speed, a lot of size. Guys are pushing each other every day."
With a log-jam of talented goalies, a decision will have to be made soon. American Owen Liskiewicz has left a good impression on the coaching staff with his effective rebound control and size. Liskiewicz stopped every puck headed his way except for a solid penalty shot effort courtesy former New Liskeard Cub Cameron Moore.
Wray sees double when it comes to Raff Izzo and Kurtis Stewart, saying that their similarities and strong points will make a decision harder. "It's scary how close they are. That's the reality of it. Anybody on that ice right now could play on any team in the league," pointed out Wray, adding that there is still time for one goalie to make his mark.
North Bay native and Petes draft pick Nate McDonald, who's heading to Petes main camp Tuesday, is the first goalie the team signed. McDonald, Liskiewicz and former Trappers goalie Brendan Dale shared the duties for Team Green.
"You can already see the kids interacting the way we want them to interact. It's been a good camp, a competitive camp. I think they're getting sick of playing each other now, they've had three scrimmages now. It's going to boil over," said Wray.
Battalion draft pick Rhys Brown had a dazzling showing, setting up two goals for the Green squad. The 154th overall selection in the 2016 OHL Priority Selection, Brown is heading north up Highway 11 to take part in his first OHL training camp.
Brown is pleased with his progress at Voodoos camp so far and is looking to make an impression on the Battalion coaching staff. "The goal has been to make the team," since being drafted in April, but if he needs another year of seasoning, can think of no better place to do so than in Powassan.
Brown is getting used to his new surroundings and is looking forward to the season starting, wherever that may be. Brown says the Voodoos staff have been supportive, encouraging him to go to Battalion camp and "to enjoy it and have fun."
North Bay native and Hamilton draft pick Dylan D'Agostino has also turned heads at Voodoos camp. He scored on a gorgeous give-and-go with Ryan Bazzana to give the Green team a 2-0 advantage. The eventual winner was potted by Austin Boyle.
D'Agostino says that there "is a good group of guys in camp," and they are building friendships off the ice.
"I'm having a good camp. Hamilton wanted me to go somewhere where I could get some ice time, and develop," said D'Agostino.
The Voodoos face French River at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Powassan Sportsplex.
