Paper Kings clip Voodoos
Graydon Guthrie gunned a pair of goals and Jack Helkie handled 40 pucks as the Espanola Paper Kings moved into sole possession of the eighth and final playoff position in the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League on Friday with a 5-1 verdict over the visiting Powassan Voodoos.
Rookie forward Kaden Wicklander — a 2024 Ontario Hockey League priority selections draft pick of the Brantford Bulldogs — assisted on three goals for Espanola as the Paper Kings improved their record to 18-23-3. For Helkie, it was his first appearance in the net for Espanola since January 17 when he gave up five goals on 17 shots in 19 minutes of action in a 7-5 loss to the Hearst Lumberjacks.
Meanwhile, the Paper Kings have another playoff-style game at home tonight when they play host to the French River Rapids in a 7:00 start at the Espanola Regional Recreation Center. With 39 points, Espanola has a four point edge on French River, though the Rapids hold two games in hand on the Paper Kings.
Also in the mix for the eighth seed are the Iroquois Falls Storm, which has 37 points. Iroquois Falls has played 45 games compared to 44 for Espanola and 42 for French River. All teams play a 52 game regular season slate.