Cubs Derail Espanola Express

The newest franchise in the NOJHL opened the 2021-22 season on a positive note with a convincing 4-0 win over the Espanola Express on Thursday night at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Arena in front of 424 happy fans.

The Cubs raised the curtain on the new season with Cubs’ owner Mark Burgess welcoming back hockey fans to the rinks and then paid tribute to representatives of the medical staff at Health Science North Emergency Department – for their hardwork and dedication throughout the past 19 month pandemic period.

The Cubs were back-stopped to victory by 20 year-old goaltender JOEL RAINVILLE who stopped all 27 Express shots that he faced.

Veteran forward OWEN PERALA, 19, scored the game winner at the 15-minute mark of the first period.  Perala was recently added to the Cubs line-up after a lengthy try-out with the OHL Sudbury Wolves.

PIERSON SOBUSH, 17 recorded the insurance marker early in the third period before veteran KYLER CAMPBELL scored late in the final frame to make the score 3-0.  CAMERON SHANKS, 17, continued his scoring ways with a great shot with less than a minute left in the game to close-out the scoring on this night.

The Cubs outshot the Express 38-27 and the Eastlink Game Stars were: Joel Rainville – #1,   Owen Perala #2 and Pierson Sobush #3.

The Cubs will now hit the road this Sunday when they travel to Espanola for a 2 pm start.  The Cubs return home next Thursday, September 23rd when they host the Blind River Beavers at 7:30 pm.   A limited number of game tickets are available to local hockey fans by pre-booking your seat by emailing britt@ntaaa.ca or by calling: 705-524-8375 x 226.   Adult tickets are $10, Juniors/Seniors are $5 and children 12-and-under are free and must be accompanied by an Adult.  Proof of full Covid vaccination is required to gain entry to the Countryside Arena and facemasks must be worn at all times to provide an extra layer of safety to all spectators.