Photos: Helene Rancourt
BLIND RIVER, Ont. – A Cameron Walker marker deep into the first period held up as the game-winner as the Greater Sudbury Cubs clipped the Blind River Beavers 2-1 Thursday evening in the opening game of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s West Division Final at the Blind River Community Centre.
A late opening frame power play helped Greater Sudbury notch the initial tally in the series when Samuel Assinewai came in from the left side, then made a nice move around a defender into the slot before snapping a shot over the blocker of Blind River netminder Noah Tegelaar.
Coming right back, the Cubs tacked on another prior to the first intermission, with Walker working his way free in front and finishing off a Nolan Newton feed, that came from behind the goal line, over the outstretched pad of Tegelaar.
Heading to the second stanza, the Beavers trimmed their deficit midway through the session, during a man advantage, as defenceman Tyler Vorstadt pinched in from the point and proceeded to roof a Evan Fraccaro set-up over the glove of Noah Metivier.
The tally ended a run for Metivier, of 151 minutes and 41 seconds, without allowing a goal.
Remaining a low-scoring affair late into regulation, Blind River got their goalie out for an extra attacker in an effort to tie it and force overtime, however Greater Sudbury were solid defensively throughout to secure the road victory.
Game 2 goes Saturday at 7 p.m. back in Blind River and on FLOHockey.tv.
NOJHL West Final
Greater Sudbury Cubs vs. Blind River Beavers
Greater Sudbury leads best-of-seven series 1-0
Game 1: Cubs 2 Beavers 1
Game 2: Saturday, April 6 @ Blind River 7 p.m. (Blind River Community Centre)
Game 3: Monday, April 8 @ Sudbury 7:05 p.m. (Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex)
Game 4: Tuesday, April 9 @ Sudbury 7:05 p.m. (Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex)
Game 5*: Thursday, April 11 @ Blind River 7 p.m. (Blind River Community Centre)
Game 6*: Sunday, April 14 @ Sudbury 7:35 p.m. (Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex)
Game 7*: Tuesday, April 16 @ Blind River 7 p.m. (Blind River Community Centre)
*-if necessary
