PHOTOS: Rob Fera – Sudbury Light Event Photography
The Greater Sudbury Cubs battled back from a 2-0 first period deficit to edge the visiting Soo Thunderbirds 4-3 at the Countryside arena in Sudbury on Thursday night.
The Thunderbirds got on the board first as Grayson Ebrahim netted his 19th of the campaign beating Cubs netminder and former Thunderbird Noah Metivier cashing on a nice feed from Kelsey Ouellet who created the turnover in the high slot at 12:32 of the opening frame.
Less than three minutes later, on the transition, The TBirds Jonathan Sonedecker made a nice backhand saucer feed to Jackson Truchon who beat Metivier for his 15th at 15:07 as the visitors took a 2-0 lead into the locker room at Countryside Arena.
The Cubs cut into the lead as Sam Assinewai cashed in his 16th on a turnover in the Cubs near the 8-minute mark of the second period to make it 2-1 beating TBirds netminder and Erie Otters prospect Maverick Fletcher.
Less than a minute later the Cubs Ben Lacroix got the equalizer, his 13th to square things at 2-2 on a shot from the top of the left circle near the halfway point of the contest.
It stayed that way until early in the third, as Sudbury Wolves prospect Hudson Chitaroni put away a rebound off a Christopher Innes shot on a 5 on 3 power play to give the Cubs their first lead of the contest at 2:52 of the third.
On the same power play, Barrie Colts prospect Nolan Newton deflected a shot from Mason Chitaroni less than 30 seconds later for a 4-2 Cubs lead.
However, the TBirds showed no quit as James Legler created a turnover along the boards and fed Truchon wide open into the slot and he beat Metivier to make it 4-3 at 6:13 of the third frame.
The Thunderbirds battled hard with a power play in the final two minutes but they were unable to beat Metivier for the equalizer.
The win is the Cubs first this season in three contests against the Thunderbirds as they improve to 8-0-1-1 in their last 10.
The win improves the Cubs overall record to 31-7-1-1 on the season while the TBirds drop to 22-11-2-1.
The two teams will travel west to Sault Ste. Marie on Friday where the Thunderbirds will host the Cubs for a 7 p.m. puck drop at the John Rhodes Community Centre.
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
