PHOTOS: Rob Fera – Sudbury Light Event Photography
SUDBURY, Ont. – A pair of third period tallies, along with some stalwart goaltending from Daniel Dirracolo, helped the Powassan Voodoos top the Greater Sudbury Cubs 3-1 Wednesday in the finale of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League Showcase, at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
It took the Voodoos less than a minute to take flight in the contest as Darby McCarthy wheeled around the Cubs’ zone and put a pass over to Carson Ricci, who cut in from the point, to the slot, and ripped a shot by Greater Sudbury starter Noah Beaulne.
The Cubs best chance to get on the board came late in the first period, but the Powassan netminder came across his crease to make a close-range pad save on Ben Lacroix.
Generating further opportunities in the early stages of the second stanza, Greater Sudbury still could solve the goaltending of the Voodoos’ starter.
Answering with an equalizer during a man advantage though, Cubs’ captain Oliver Smith whipped a chance from the left circle that got through a partial screen and eluded Dirracolo at 12:52 with his 10th tally of the campaign.
Knotted at 1-1 into the third period, the Voodoos retook the lead at 2:11 when Tucker Shields came across the blueline, then fired a rising attempt that fooled Beaulne on its way to the back of the net.
Going up by two five and a half minutes later, Zach Turner darted down the right wing and sent a sharp angle shot that beat Beaulne short side.
Pressing to get back in it, Dirracolo came across with a key save, that had plenty of net to shoot at, with four minutes to play.
The Cubs then pulled their goalie for an extra attacker moments later, however Dirracolo continued to shut the door and secure the win.
With the victory, Powassan moves to 6-2-0-1 on the season, while Greater Sudbury suffered their first loss, falling to 9-1-0-0.
Of note, the win was the 200th in the NOJHL for Voodoos assistant coach Josh Dale, through his seven seasons behind the bench with the organization.
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
