Photos: Northern Exposures
ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. – Billy Biedermann collected the lone marker in the shootout Friday as the Greater Sudbury Cubs went on to slip past the Elliot Lake Red Wings 2-1 in a tightly-contested Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair at Centennial Arena.
A fast-paced first frame saw neither side convert offensively as the clubs hit the initial intermission still waiting for the night’s opening tally.
Action in the middle session saw Elliot Lake strike first as Brodie Kearns blew through the Cubs’ defence and powered his way to the net where he lifted a shot over Greater Sudbury goalkeeper Joel Rainville at 6:53.
Coming back to tie things up before the second came to a close, Ben Harris finished off a rebound off his own shot that was initially stopped by Cameron Smith of the Red Wings, but could not get across in time before it was slammed in from the right of the crease.
Both teams tightened up defensively from there as neither team could connect again in a scoreless third period, as well as the five-minute overtime session.
Heading to extra shots, Biedermann was the only one to convert as he came in on Smith, made a quick move to his right and roofed a backhand from close range.
Rainville then stymied a third Elliot Lake shooter to collect the narrow victory helping the Cubs improve to 21-13-3-0 on year.
Smith’s efforts between the pipes helped the Red Wing pick up a point in defeat as they dipped to 11-27-1-1 overall.