Photos: Cassy Seguin
FRENCH RIVER – Collecting multiple markers in each period, the Greater Sudbury Cubs went on to defeat the French River Rapids 8-1 in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League get together Friday at Noelville Arena.
First period play saw the visiting Cubs strike three times in the back half of the first period to take an early edge into the intermission.
Greater Sudbury began their outburst with a man advantage marker at 12:44 when Ethan Larmand buried a cross-ice feed from Nolan Newton.
Cameron Shanks then made it 2-0 as his shot off a face off win by Noah Kohan leaked through French River goalkeeper Brady Dyer and trickled in.
Up a skater once more, Ben Harris made it 3-0 at 19:05 as he redirected in a sharp Marshall McCharles pass.
In the middle stanza, the Rapids’ Dominic Bzdyl broke free on a shorthanded breakaway and sped down the ice before beating Noah Beaulne at 1:58.
Still up a skater though, the guests made it 4-1 with Josh Kavanagh ripping a shot from the right side that flew past Elijah Grant, who had entered to play for French River to begin the period.
Shanks then supplied his second by lifting one high from in close into the back of the net.
After being hacked on another break, Bzdyl was awarded a penalty shot, however Beaulne held firm, making a solid pad save to thwart the attempt.
Up by four entering the third, the Cubs put the game away when Hudson Martin sent a rising attempt from the point that sailed past bodies assembled in front of Grant at 8:10.
Smith shorthanded and Cameron Walker at even strength, on a second chance, finished off the scoring.
The result sees the Cubs improve to 43-12-1-2, while with the loss, the Rapids fall to 10-45-1-1.
