Greater Sudbury Cubs captain Oliver Smith earned a goal and three assists to help push his team to a 5-2 victory over the Timmins Rock during a Friday home game.
The two Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League teams faced off at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
A late first-period Greater Sudbury power play helped then notch the lone marker of the session, as Nolan Newton made a spin move before firing a shot past Timmins netminder Patrick Boivin at 19:14.
Action in the second period saw the Cubs strike twice early on, earning goals two and three.
Hudson Martin picked up his first NOJHL goal at 1:36 as he took a Chris Innes feed in transition and whipped it in from the left side.
Newton then made it 3-0 at 4:49 as he fired a shot past a screened Rock goaltender.
Timmins answered with a goal at 11:41 thanks to Liam Wells, who finished off a crafty shot attempt from Nolan Ring that was initially stopped by Greater Sudbury starter Noah Metivier.
Continuing to battle, the defending NOJHL champions then pulled to within one goal at 18:22, off the stick of Kaeden McArthur, who finished off a nice move and cross-ice pass off the stick of Josh Russell.
Smith, however, restored the Cubs’ two-goal lead prior to the second intermission, as he went to the net and scooped up a loose puck laying in the crease and popped into the open side.
In the third period, the hosts secured the result via the man advantage, as Smith collected another point by sweeping a pass over to Cameron Walker, who quickly chipped it into the right-hand corner with under five minutes remaining to round out the scoring.
Dating back to last season, Smith now has points in eight consecutive regular-season contests, while also helping Greater Sudbury post back-to-back victories to begin their 2023-24 campaign.
The Greater Sudbury Cubs’ next game will be held at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex on Sept. 14, when they face off against the Soo Eagles at 7:05 p.m.
