2nd period surge leads Cochrane past Powassan

COCHRANE, Ont. – A three-goal second period outburst by the Cochrane Crunch broke open a scoreless game before they withstood a comeback bid by the Powassan Voodoos in the final frame and held on for a 3-2 triumph in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action Saturday at Tim Horton Events Centre.

Following a scoreless opening frame, the Crunch erupted for a trio of special teams’ tallies in just over a four-minute span in the middle stanza to break things open offensively.

Down a skater, Cochrane captain Hunter Buzzi struck shorthanded at 5:40 to give the home side the lead.

Picking up a power play themselves a couple of shifts later, Maxwell Tucker made it 2-0 with his seventh marker of the campaign.

Another man advantage saw the Crunch connect once more with Matthew Minichiello, who also assisted on the first two tallies, knocking in his team-leading 24th at 9:52 to help send his side to the intermission up by three.

Special teams helped the Voodoos get right back in it in the final stanza as Seiji Martone and Parker Bowman, with his team-leading 34th, both scored on the power play to bring the guests to within one with over 13 minutes to play.

However, Cochrane goaltender Zach Wickson shut the door the rest of the way, finishing with 44 saves overall to pick up the win.

Meanwhile, Powassan starter Christian Cicigoi saw 42 attempts fired his way in defeat.