A Jack Anderson unassisted goal with 7:17 remaining in regulation proved to be the decider as the Timmins Rock went on to defeat the Powassan Voodoos 4-1 Sunday in Game 3 of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League East Division Final at the Powassan Sportsplex.
The outcome sees the Rock collect their first win in the best-of-seven affair as they now trail 2-1 heading to Game 4 Monday back in Powassan at 7 p.m.
Notching the night’s opening tally 13 and a half minutes into the match-up, Powassan’s Mason Rotondo broke through a couple of defenders on the right side, then sent a pass across into the slot that was steered in by Zach Turner by Timmins’ netminder Patrick Boivin.
Second period play saw the Rock draw even in the opening moments of the frame when Mason Svarich managed to shovel a backhand under the Voodoos’ Daniel Dirracolo for his fifth of the playoffs.
The home side had a great chance to retake the lead late in the session when Reyth Smith broke in alone on a breakaway and after a cut to his right was robbed by a tremendous pad save by Boivin.
Going in front for the first time, Timmins went ahead well into the third when Anderson knocked down a clearing attempt in the neutral zone, then darted down the left wing where he ripped the game-winner into the top right corner.
Finishing off the road triumph in the late going, the Rock collected a pair of long-range empty net efforts off the sticks of Harry Clark and Thomas Beard to round out the scoring.
Game four of the series takes place on Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Powassan Sportsplex.
