POWASSAN, Ont. – A James Scott goal midway through the third period broke a tie score to help the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners earn a hard-fought 2-1 decision over the Powassan Voodoos Wednesday night in Game 3 of their East Division semifinal at the Powassan Sportsplex.
The win was the first for the Gold Miners in the best-of-seven match-up as they now trail the series 2-1 with Game 4 slated for Thursday back in Powassan at 7 p.m.
Following a scoreless first period, Kirkland Lake was quick out of the gate to commence the middle stanza on an Alex Elie effort 40 seconds into the session.
It remained a tight-checking affair throughout the rest of the period as the Gold Miners carried their one-goal cushion into the third.
Powassan did net the equalizer at 9:08 off a Dakotah Woods shot block in his own zone that saw the home side transition to a two on one where Rico Rossi sent a pass over the Tomas Yachmenev who chipped the puck over top Kirkland Lake goaltender Gregory Brassard.
However, the Gold Miners countered 66 seconds later thanks to some impressive work out of the corner by Matthew Brassard that saw his attempt on net knocked in by Scott to put the visitors back in front for good.
The Voodoos eventually pulled starter Joe Vrbetic in the late going for an extra attacker in an effort to tie it and force overtime, but the guests held firm to secure the important road victory.
Shots on goal on the night favoured Kirkland Lake by a 31-29 count with Brassard picking earning the triumph while Vrbetic suffered the narrow setback.
East Division semifinal
No. 2 Kirkland Lake Gold Miners vs. No. 3 Powassan Voodoos
Powassan leads best-of-seven series 2-1
Game 1: Powassan 2 Kirkland Lake 0
Game 2: Powassan 8 Kirkland Lake 3
Game 3: Kirkland Lake 2 Powassan 1
Game 4: Thursday, March 21 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 5: Saturday, March 23 @ Kirkland Lake 7 p.m. (Joe Mavrinac Community Complex)
Game 6*: Sunday, March 24 @ Powassan 7 p.m. (Powassan Sportsplex)
Game 7*: Tuesday, March 26 @ Kirkland Lake 7 p.m. (Joe Mavrinac Community Complex)
*-if necessary
