Nate Viberg’s 27th goal of the season, coming 4:04 into overtime, was the game-winner as the Cochrane Crunch edged the visiting Powassan Voodoos 4-3 Friday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division battle at the Tim Horton Event Centre.
Viberg also had a hand in the night’s opening tally as he earned one of the assists on a Shane Woolsey effort just 22 seconds after the opening face-off.
The Crunch then went up 2-0 five minutes later on Taylor Armbruster’s fourth of 2016-17.
Powassan countered less than a minute after that to cut into the deficit courtesy of Andy Baker.
A couple of quick power play markers allowed the Voodoos to tie it, then take the lead, in the second with Baker supplying his second of the night and league-leading 43rd during a two-man advantage at 4:02.
Still up a skater, Powassan went in front 30 seconds after that with Ryan Theriault finding the back of the net.
Cochrane would force extra time, notching the equalizer, with 5:18 remaining in regulation compliments of Braden King.
Then with the two sides playing four skaters aside in OT, Viberg was the hero for the Crunch as his chance beat Voodoos’ starter Andrew Suriano to give his side the second point on the night.
Konnar Dechaine chipped in with two assists for Cochrane.
The Crunch held the edge in shots on goal by a 39-24 margin with Leighton Williams picking up the win and Suriano the OT setback.
The Voodoos played the game without Gary Mantz, who is sitting out the first of a four-game suspension for a hit from behind in Monday's game vs. the Eskis. Forward Brett Hahkala and defenceman Bo Peltier were called up by the Battalion to play for their injury riddled team this weekend in Mississauga on Friday night and back in North Bay Sunday afternoon.
The Voodoos, who clinched first overall in the league on Monday, are back on the ice Saturday night in Iroquois Falls as they face the Eskis. Puck drop is set for 7:30 at the Jus Jordan Arena. The game can be watched via pay-per-view through HockeyTV.com.
