SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – Pierson Sobush tallied twice, including notching the game-winner, to send the Greater Sudbury Cubs on their way to a 5-2 triumph over the Soo Eagles Wednesday in Game 5 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division match-up at Pullar Stadium.
The result brings the Cubs closer in the best-of-seven series, as they now trail 3-2 heading into a sixth game Friday night in Sudbury at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex at 7 p.m.
Pressing the pace early, the Eagles took the lead before the contest was three minutes old when Colin Handy snapped a shot from along the boards at the left point that got through a partially screened Joel Rainville in the Cubs’ net.
Answering with a tying marker at 13:48, Greater Sudbury came in on a two-on-one where affiliate forward Nolan Newton opted to shoot while darting down the left wing and sharply picked the right-hand corner on Sault Ste. Marie starter Gabe Rosek.
The Cubs then added another moments later and took a 2-1 lead into the opening intermission as they broke out of their own zone and eventually saw Sobush wire one past Rosek from the high slot.
Going up by a pair, a couple of minutes into the second period, Sobush redirected a Billy Biedermann attempt on net to make 3-1 Greater Sudbury.
Continuing to click offensively, the Cubs notched a fourth-straight marker as Newton dropped a feed to Christopher Innes who snapped a shot that flew by the Soo goalkeeper, Ryan Gilmore, who entered the contest after the third marker by the visitors.
Getting one back, 78 seconds into the third, the Eagles’ Charlie Salem fired a feed in front that was scooped up by Marc LaFrance, who spun and put one in from the top of the crease.
Helping secure the road victory, Greater Sudbury’s Nicholas Toffoli completed an odd-man rush with Kohen Crane to help secure the decision with just over five minutes to play, in what was the night’s final goal.
NOJHL West Division semifinal
Soo Eagles vs. Greater Sudbury Cubs
Soo leads best-of-seven series 3-2
Game 1: Eagles 5 Cubs 4 (OT)
Game 2: Eagles 4 Cubs 3
Game 3: Cubs 4 Eagles 2
Game 4: Eagles 5 Cubs 0
Game 5: Cubs 5 Eagles 2
Game 6: Friday, April 15 @ Greater Sudbury 7 p.m. (Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex)
Game 7*: Saturday, April 16 @ Soo 7 p.m. (Pullar Stadium)
*-if necessary