PHOTOS : Cal Fera & Rob Fera – Sudbury Light Event Photography
SUDBURY, Ont. – A Jonathan Sonedecker man advantage marker midway through the first overtime gave the Soo Thunderbirds a narrow 3-2 triumph over the Greater Sudbury Cubs Friday in Game 2 of their Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League West Division semifinal at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
With that, the best-of-seven series is now tied 1-1 heading to Sault Ste. Marie for Game 3 on Monday at 7 p.m., at John Rhodes Community Centre, and FLOHockey.tv.
Despite some chances at both ends, including the Soo ringing a couple of shots off the post, the clubs hit the first intermission scoreless after one.
Up two skaters early in the second session, helped Greater Sudbury get on the board as Samuel Assinewai worked his way into the right circle off a face off win and fired a shot by a blocked out Kolton Bourret in the Thunderbirds’ net.
Answering with an extra-man effort of their own, the Soo drew level at 11:51 when Quinn Myles put a pass over to Daniel Beaupre on the right side, who ripped an attempt that flew past a screened Cubs’ goalkeeper, Noah Metivier.
Knotted at one into the third period, the T-Birds took their first game lead of the series as Kelsey Ouellet redirected in a Jackson Truchan chance from the left face off dot.
Countering quickly, the Cubs drew level just over a minute later when Marshall McCharles scooped up a rebound from between the circles, off a Mason Chitaroni shot, and wired by Bourret.
Moving to extra time, Sonedecker won it during an extended power play as the cranked a one-timer off a Declan Gallivan set-up and hammered in the game-winner.
NOJHL West semifinal
Soo Thunderbirds vs. Greater Sudbury Cubs
Best-of-seven series tied 1-1
Game 1: Cubs 2 Thunderbirds 1
Game 2: Thunderbirds 3 Cubs 2 (OT)
Game 3: Monday, March 25 @ Soo 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 4: Tuesday, March 26 @ Soo 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 5: Thursday, March 28 @ Sudbury 7:05 p.m. (Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex)
Game 6*: Saturday, March 30 @ Soo 7 p.m. (John Rhodes Community Centre)
Game 7*: Monday, April 1 @ Sudbury 7:05 p.m. (Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex)
*-if necessary
“Highlight of the Night” – NOJHL YouTube Channel
