Three good NOJHL stories
This tour of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League takes us from Powassan to Blind River across the International Bridge to the Michigan Soo.
POWASSAN POWER
The winning ways of the Powassan Voodoos has extended to 14 consecutive victories.
Constructed by general manager Chris Dawson and driven by coach Scott Wray, the Voodoo vehicle has accelerated to a league-best 43 points from a record of 21-3-1.
As the Voodoos have maximized team effort, forward Gary Mantz has taken his personal point-scoring streak to 19 games.
In all, Mantz — an off-season acquisition from the Greater Ontario Jr. Hockey League — has 19 goals, 18 assists, 37 points in 24 games.
ON BEAVER POND
As a seven-game winning streak in Blind River has come to a halt, the Beavers have nonetheless managed to maintain third place in the West Division with 28 points from a record of 14-10-0.
Not since the 2009-2010 season had there been a comparable winning streak in Blind River.
It was in ’09-10 that the Beavers, who were then coached by Jim Capy, reeled off 10 straight wins in a run that began on November 28, 2009 and extended to January 9, 2010.
Ironically, the Beavers seven-game win streak of 2016-2017 ended on Sunday with a loss to the Capy-coached Soo Eagles.
PHIPPS IS FOCUSED
Rookie goalie Kade Phipps continues to get it done for the Soo Eagles.
Since landing in the Michigan Soo as a castaway from the Alberta Jr. Hockey League, Phipps — who hails from Perrysburg, Ohio — has a 7-2-0 record, 2.63 goals against average and .916 save percentage in providing a net gain for the Eagles.
Backstopped by Phipps, the Eagles have improved their record to 12-14-2, good for 26 points and fourth place in the West Division.
And while the Eagles have closed to within two points of third-place Blind River, the Beavers do have four games in hand.
Eagles co-coach/general manager Bruno Bragagnolo said the rebound control of Phipps is a big part of the 1998 birth-year youngster’s game.
“He is also very focused and has good work habits,” Bragagnolo added in further praise of Phipps.