Continuing their stellar play on the road, the Powassan Voodoos downed the Greater Sudbury Cubs 5-2 Thursday night in the opening game of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League championship series before a Marshall McCharles marker, 3:50 into the third period, proved to be the game-winner for the Greater Sudbury Cubs in Game 2 on Friday, blanking the Voodoos 2-0 in front of a crowd of 649 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
The Game 1 result gave Powassan their sixth straight road victory of the playoffs before the Cubs evened the best-of-seven affair, now tied 1-1 heading to Game 3 Sunday afternoon, which features a 2 p.m. start at the Powassan Sportsplex.
GAME 1
After securing a late game-winning goal to conclude their East Division series with Timmins, Voodoos forward Zach Turner capitalized on a loose puck opportunity created by Dylan McElhinny’s efforts at 18:45 of the opening frame. With Greater Sudbury’s Noah Metivier out of his crease, Turner was able to stuff it in.
As the second period got underway, the Powassan power play swung into action, propelling them to a two-goal lead just over four minutes in. Chase Thompson’s precise pass from the side boards connected with Alex Little streaking down the slot, who swiftly fired a shot past Metivier’s blocker for his first goal of the playoffs. Shortly thereafter, another power play opportunity led to a third goal for the Voodoos with Reyth Smith capitalizing on the man advantage, roofing a short-side shot from a sharp angle into the net at 5:39.
The dominance of Powassan’s power play prompted Greater Sudbury to make a goaltending change, with Noah Beaulne stepping in as relief for Metivier.
Midway through the second on a man advantage of their own, Cubs’ rookie sensation Hudson Chitaroni seized control of a bouncing puck and smoothly slid a backhand shot past the sprawled-out Daniel Dirracolo in the Powassan crease to cut into the Voodoos’ lead, 3-1.
Little had an excellent opportunity to extend the lead to three when he found himself alone on a shorthanded breakaway after a Cubs’ defender stumbled, but his attempt was thwarted by a remarkable pad save from Beaulne. However, Little redeemed himself with a crucial goal in the closing moments of the period, breaking out of his own zone on a two-on-one rush, before grabbing his own rebound and unleashing a powerful shot past Beaulne at 19:53.
Early in the third, the home team responded with a power play goal from Cameron Walker, who capitalized on the rebound from a Marshall McCharles opportunity and swiftly snapped it in from the right side at 4:48.
With their goaltender pulled for an extra attacker with 4:05 left in the game, the Cubs intensified their offensive pressure in a bid to narrow the deficit but Powassan managed to maintain their lead, ultimately securing the victory after a late empty-net goal from Thompson with only 22 seconds remaining.
GAME 2
In the opening frame, Greater Sudbury dictated the pace, outshooting their opponents 12-7, but were unable to beat Powassan goaltender Daniel Dirracolo, who, alongside the Cubs’ Noah Metivier, maintained a scoreless tie after the first 20 minutes.
The second period evolved into a tighter, more defensively focused affair, with neither team able to break the deadlock.
A notable shift at the start of the third period saw Noah Beaulne stepping into the net for Greater Sudbury, replacing Metivier.
The Cubs finally found the breakthrough when Hudson Chitaroni spun in the corner and delivered a backhand pass in front that was promptly converted by McCharles.
As regulation time wound down with both teams locked in a low-scoring affair, the Voodoos pulled Dirracolo for an extra attacker in a bid to force overtime. Despite sustained pressure from Powassan, they couldn’t beat Beaulne, who stood firm in the net. Chitaroni then sealed the victory for the Cubs with a long-range empty-net goal from his own zone, with 11 seconds remaining.
Ultimately, Beaulne and Metivier share the playoff shutout, as the series heads to Powassan tied at one win apiece as Greater Sudbury shutout Powassan 2-0.
