IROQUOIS FALLS – The Abitibi Eskimos kicked off the 2015 portion of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League season in convincing style Saturday by defeating the Powassan Voodoos 6-1 at Jus Jordan Arena.
Brenden Locke was an offensive force for Abitibi in the contest tallying twice and doling out three assists in the victory.
Newcomer Logan Ferrington was also solid in his NOJHL debut making 29 saves en route to the triumph.
After a scoreless opening period, the Eskimos took control in the middle session by striking four times.
Locke got the home side going at 1:56 followed the first of four straight power play markers for the Eskimos five minutes later with Ryan Tront providing the initial man advantage goal.
Jake Holland then tacked on two in the late stages of the stanza making it a 4-0 game through 40 minutes of play.
Locke then dished out his third assist of the evening by feeding Brady Clouthier for his 29th marker of the campaign with 4:59 remaining.
Powassan dashed Ferrington’s shutout bid 34 seconds later on an unassisted effort by Steve Harland, who extended a consecutive game point streak to 16 outings in the process.
Locke eventually capped off his five-point night with just over a minute to go by firing in his second goal of the evening.
Holland, Brennan Roy and Kealy Cummings each added two assists apiece for the winners.
Matt Young faced 36 shots in defeat for the Voodoos.
