Ethan Larmand’s second goal of the game, coming with 8:12 remaining in regulation, was the game-winner as the Greater Sudbury Cubs edged the Powassan Voodoos 3-2 in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
The win secures home ice advantage for the Cubs in their upcoming NOJHL West Division semifinal series with the Soo Thunderbirds.
Capitalizing on the game’s initial power play, Greater Sudbury took the lead at 7:06 on a marker credited to Larmand.
Countering quickly, Powassan tied it just over a minute later as Caleb Dawson took advantage of a giveaway by Cubs’ netminder that left him with an empty net to backhand in his 10th tally of the campaign.
The Voodoos then went in front when Tucker Shields raced in alone on a shorthanded breakaway and made a move to his right before converting.
Coming back to draw even late in the second stanza, Oliver Smith took a Samuel Assinewai feed, then spun and fired a shot into the left corner for his 44th goal of the season, in beating goaltender Daniel Dirracolo.
In the third, the hosts got the decider after forcing a turnover behind the net, which allowed Smith to send a quick feed across to Larmand that was promptly ripped in.
The assist for Smith was his 100th point of the season.
Powassan got their goalie out late in an effort to force overtime, however Metivier held firm to secure the home ice victory.
With the outcome, Greater Sudbury wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the NOJHL West and improved to 42-12-1-2 overall.
In defeat, the Voodoos slipped to 35-19-1-2.
The Cubs are back on the ice this evening (March 15), when they take on the French River Rapids at the Noelville Arena.
