NOELVILLE, ON - The Powassan Voodoos stormed back from a one-goal third period deficit by striking six times in the final frame and skating away with a 10-6 triumph over the French River Rapids in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play Wednesday at Noelville Arena.
Tomas Yachmenev paced the Powassan outburst in the final frame by registering his first NOJHL hat trick in the win.
Voodoos head coach Beau Moyer admits it was not the prettiest game.
"No fault on Cicigoi on any goals they made some great shots but our defensive zone needs work," said Moyer.
"Cicigoi still made some great saves when we needed him.
"Harrison Israels and Yachmenev were impressive tonight with the puck. There needs to be more effort on the defensive side of things and tonight will be a good learning tool through video on the aspects of defending that we should not be doing now in the month of October.
Moyer won't deny he was impressed with how the offence ramped up in the final frame.
"There were lots of great things happening when we have the puck and players are utilizing their skill but again when we don’t have the puck we have to be in the right areas to defend. If we defend more effectively we will increase our puck time that much more. This will be the message going forward."
Each side would connect once in the first period with Jacob Uridil putting French River in front before Harrison Israels drew the Voodoos level.
Powassan then came out quickly to go up by two before the middle session was three minutes old thanks to Israels and Cade Herd.
The Rapids countered with three tallies of their own just over five minutes apart on markers from Levi Siau, Christian Gaudreau and Connor Loft.
After the Voodoos’ Brett Hahkala tied it 16:49 with his fifth of the season at 16:49, Max Carbone’s first coming with 39 seconds to go put the home side up 5-4 after two periods of play.
Yachmenev, the son of former Centennials star Vitali Yachmenev, levelled the proceedings early in the third, via the power play, only to see Uridil put French River back on top at 6:24.
It was all Powassan after that however as they erupted for five unanswered tallies to win going away.
Shane Beaulieu tied things up again at 8:07 before Yachmenev notched the eventual game-winner midway through the session.
A Dayton Murray man advantage blast added some cushion for Powassan before Herd and Yachmenev supplied late markers to wrap things up.
Kobe Desmond dished out three assists for the Voodoos and Israels had two helpers to finish off a four-point night.
Siau supplied two assists in defeat for French River.
Powassan outshot the Rapids 49-37 on the night with Christian Cicigoi picking up the win and Spencer Eschyshcyn suffered the loss.
With the win, the Voodoos improve to 7-2 on the season. The Voodoos next home game is Saturday, October 7th, when the Voodoos host the Blind River Beavers.
