NEWS

The host Trenton Golden Hawks were looking for a better result than their fellow OJHL club, the Georgetown Raiders, had in their opening game of the tournament. They went down 5-4 in extra time to the Dryden GM Ice Dogs. The Powassan Voodoos had other ideas with the NOJHL champions coming in after going 12 for 12 in their playoffs beating the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (last year's Dudley-Hewitt host), the Timmins Rock and the upstart Blind River Beavers. 

 

The 'Hawks breezed through last year's tournament in Kirkland Lake winning all four games en route to hoisting the trophy. Returnees for this season are Powassan native and co-captain Lucas Brown, the other co-captain- Josh Allan; Liam Morgan, Brandon Marinelli, Mac Lewis, Jordan Chard, Nick Boddy, Ben Scheel and Chays Ruddy.

 

Starting goalkeepers in this game were the VooDoo's 17-year old Nate McDonald, who had played every minute of their post-season and Chris Janzen for the hosts. Rex Moe returned to the lineup from a suspension for Trenton. With Moe back in Chris Sekelyk sat this one out.  Andrew Cordssen-David replaced Bryce Martin on defense and he was joined by Louis DiMatteo taking James Thomson's spot. Powassan were at full strength, a young club with no last year players (1996's) on their roster. The club itself is in just it's third season.

 

A tough angle backhand goal by Morgan gave the Golden Hawks an early advantage just under four minutes into the first frame. His eleventh of the post-season to take the lead in that category. Assists were earned by Jeremy Pullara and DiMatteo. A pair of consecutive penalties to Trenton gave the visitors a chance to get even but they were unable to get too much going. The 'Hawks did better on their first try with the extra-man with ex-Halifax Moosehead Anthony Sorrentino connecting on a rebound from a shot from Pullara. The second assist went to Allan. A good period for Trenton and their home fans as they outshot the VooDoos 13-7 and took a 2-0 lead.

 

Despite some good chances the home team could not add to their lead in the second period until McDonald repelled a couple of shots before Morgan netted his second of the game with just under six minutes gone by. Sorrentino got the helper along with Pullara, his third of the contest. The experience of the Golden Hawks continued to show through as following some four-on-four action they dominated on a powerplay but they could not add to their lead until with a second left in the period when Moe shot one high past McDonald on a pass from Dawson Baker on a two-man breakaway. Lewis had the second assist. 4-0 Trenton, who outshot the visitors 15-8.

 

With their backs very much against the wall the VooDoos were at least looking to get on the scoresheet in the third. They had a good opportunity with Moe picking up a double minor penalty although Chard almost got one shorthanded but he was stopped by Gary Mantz, the Voodoos' leading playoff scorer with 24 points, who had to leave the game as a result. Powassan would get the consolation goal at 16.19 to avoid the shutout with Parker Bowman, the NOJHL's playoff MVP, getting one past Janzen. Dayton Murray got the lone assist. Max Ewart rounded out the scoring with his third of the post-season to make it a 5-1 final. Helpers on this one went to Boddy and DiMatteo. The 'Hawks played a fairly conservative third period having just 7 shots while a frustrated Powassan squad managed 10. Overall 35-26 Trenton.

 

A big bounceback by the Golden Hawks following their tough loss in game 7 of the Buckland Cup in Georgetown. Morgan was named Trenton's player of the game.