FRENCH RIVER – The Powassan Voodoos built an early three-goal lead, then withstood a third period comeback bid by the French River Rapids before eventually prevailing with a 3-2 road win in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League meeting Sunday at Noelville Arena.
The victory gives the Voodoos 58 points on the season and puts them back into top spot overall in the NOJHL standings.
Seeing their initial game action of 2020, Powassan came out buzzing, getting goals from Parker Bowman, with his 28th, and Ray Praysner, who picked up his seventh of the campaign, to give the guests an early cushion.
Not done there, the Voodoos added one more before the first frame was complete thanks to Seiji Martone at 17:19.
Despite picking up a half dozen power plays in the middle session, French River could not solve Powassan goalkeeper Owen Say as the period was scoreless with the visitors carrying their three-goal lead into the third.
There, the Rapids finally solved Voodoos goaltender Owen Say on a Cooper Bowman man advantage effort at 11:56.
Still up a skater, French River clicked on the power play less than a minute later with Ty Chambers making it 3-2 with seven minutes to play.
From there though, the guests held firm with Say finishing with 42 saves to record the victory.
Meanwhile, Rapids starter Sebastian Woods saw 33 attempts fired his way in defeat.
Game Photos courtesy of Dal Photography