A pair of goals from Nolan Newton gave the Greater Sudbury Cubs the win in the opening of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff series against the Soo Thunderbirds on March 20.
The West Division semi-final was played at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex on Wednesday.
“Greater Sudbury got the icebreaker of the series seven and a half minutes into the match-up as Newton worked his way down the left wing before cutting into the middle, then dancing around a Sault Ste. Marie defender, and ripping a shot past netminder Kolton Bourret,” said a release on the game.
The Thunderbirds dominated in the early going of the second period, but couldn’t capitalize. Newton made it 2-0 after powering his way up the ice, slipping a Soo defender and firing a high shot into the back of the net.
“Getting on the board before the second intermission, during a four-on-three man advantage, Kaden Dundas of the T-Birds sent a feed up top to Declan Gallivan who came down the slot and wired his chance by Greater Sudbury goalie Noah Metivier.”
Staying 2-1 late into the third period, the Thunderbirds got Bourret out for an additional skater, but Metivier and his teammates held firm to secure the series-opening victory.
Game 2 in the best-of-seven affair goes tonight in Sudbury at 7:05 p.m. You can also watch online at FLOHockey.tv.
