While Noah Metivier supplied shutout goaltending and a Hudson Chitaroni tally, seven and a half minutes into the first period held up as the game-winner, the Greater Sudbury Cubs blanked the Soo Thunderbirds 4-0 Thursday in game five of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division semifinal at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex March 28.
The outcome gives the Cubs a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven match-up with Game 6 slated for 7 p.m. Saturday at John Rhodes Community Centre.
Greater Sudbury got off to a good start when Chitaroni was sent in on a partial break that saw him take the play to his right and lift his chance over the pad of Sault Ste. Marie starter Kolton Bourret.
The Cubs extended their edge in the second stanza, when Josh Kavanagh led a rush up-ice, which eventually led to Ryan Rubic jamming in a rebound, from the top of the crease, at 3:48.
Continuing to push, Greater Sudbury made it 3-0 midway through the frame with Nolan Newton taking a pass between the circles from Mason Chitaroni and ripping it past Bourret.
Moving to the third period, the Cubs added some insurance off a dump in and a turnover that allowed Ben Harris to fire in a quick shot from the slot at 7:18.
Metivier helped do the rest in registering his second career playoff shutout in the triumph.
NOJHL West semifinal continues with game six on Saturday, March 30 at 7.p.m at John Rhodes Community Centre in Sault Ste. Marie. If needed, game seven will be back on cubs home ice on April 1.
The Cubs lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
