GALLERY: Strong finish leads Cubs over Rapids

Photos: Jeremy Seguin

FRENCH RIVER – The Greater Sudbury Cubs broke open a third period tie with three unanswered goals as they went on to collect a 4-1 decision over the French River Rapids Friday in a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League affair at Noelville Arena.

The hometown Rapids picked up the night’s initial tally as Matthew Hill banged in a loose puck that Cubs’ goalkeeper Noah Beaulne could not control off an Adam Boucher right point attempt, just as a Greater Sudbury penalty had expired 8:18 into the match-up.

Converting on a late man advantage, the visitors drew level when Billy Biedermann came in from the left side and snapped a shot by a diving French River netminder Matthew Perdue.

After neither side converted offensively in a scoreless middle stanza, the clubs went to the second intermission break still knotted at 1-1.

Taking the lead just over three minutes into the third, Greater Sudbury defenceman Christopher Innes jumped into a rush and managed to set-up Cole Crowder in close, who knocked it by Perdue for his 14th goal of the season.

Adding some insurance in the latter stages of the contest, Cameron Walker found himself free in the right circle where he ripped a right shot off the post and in.

They then capped off the road victory with a long-range empty netter from Nicholas Toffoli to round out the night’s scoring.

With the outcome, the league-leading Cubs improved to 26-5-2-0 while the Rapids fell to 5-26-0-1 in defeat.