Hot to trot in the NOJHL
Powassan Voodoos, Timmins Rock, Blind River Beavers and Soo Eagles are among the teams that have been on the hot side of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League.
Powassan. The Voodoos have won eight straight games and are first overall in the NOJHL standings with a record of 10-1-0.
Forward Parker Bowman is scoring at a goal-a-game clip, having tallied 11 times in 11 outings.
Timmins. Rookie goalie Vance Meyer has been simply sensational for the Rock. The 2002 birth-year youngster has a 4-0-0 record with a 0.98 goals against average, .954 save percentage and two shutouts.
As a team, the Rock has won four straight, has a record of 8-1-1 and is chasing Powassan for first place in the East Division.
Blind River. A record of 8-1-1 has the Beavers in first place in the West Division.
Scoring wise, forwards Caleb Serre (12-17-29) and Justin Mauro (5-16-21) are 1-2 in the NOJHL scoring parade.
Another forward, Lucas Adams, has nine goals in 10 games after scoring just eight times in 51 outings last season.
Soo Eagles. After a slow start, the Michigan Soo crew has made it over the .500 mark and with a record of 4-3-2, has moved into third place in the NOJHL West behind Blind River and the Rayside Balfour Canadians.
Rookie goalie Ryan Gilmore, who played high school hockey in Michigan last season, picked up his first NOJHL win in his second start of the season on the weekend.
Of note, Gilmore’s dad, Mike Gilmore, was a Division 1, National Collegiate Athletic Association goalie for the Michigan State Spartans from 1988 to 1992.
PHOTO: Soo Eagles rookie goalie Ryan Gilmore and veteran defenseman Hayden Clark, in recent action against the Elliot Lake Wildcats. (Northern Exposure Photography.)
I love it how the Western teams look so good on paper until they come up Hwy. 11. I have watched the T-Birds run up to the top 10 teams in Canada and get spanked every time they show their faces in Eastern territory. Meanwhile the East is a mystery every night. One never knows how an East vs East game will go. I love going to games featuring the Western teams to see them get put in their place. Last weekend saw the T-Birds score 3 points in 3 games. This weekend saw Sudbury and Blind River get stopped. Those teams should be visiting the Eastern side more often to keep their perspective.
I wouldn’t count out the western teams just yet better wait till a eastern team travels west for a 3 games in 3 days schedule to see the results. Nick
I watch that closely Nick. I have also noticed that the T-Birds usually get the third game. Easy pickings for them when they are on their game. I am counting the Western teams out already. Yes it is a tough 3 games but rarely is it a 3 “W” trip unless your team comes from Hwy 17.
Hey Randy what’s up with Gabby Kioli I don’t see his name anymore on the voodoo line up
Nick, Kioki has been traded to Rockland of the CCHL.
Really surprised tks