Cubs clinch … bye, bye Birds
Sudbury Cubs have completed a playoff series comeback over the Soo Thunderbirds. Backed by a second successive shutout by goalie Noah Metivier — a Sault Ste. Marie product no less — the visiting Cubs blanked the Thunderbirds 4-0 tonight to take the opening round, best of seven Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League series four games to two.
Sudbury had trailed the series two games to one before rebounding to win the next three matches by scores of 4-3, 4-0 and 4-0 to send the Soo packing for the season.
The series win sends the Cubs to the NOJHL West Division finals against either the Blind River Beavers or Espanola Paper Kings. Blind River will play host to Espanola on Easter Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. in a seventh and deciding game of that series.
Just a well played series with back to back play. Sorry it had to end. T-Birds to a player never quit but high marks to the Cubs as a well-coached pair of teams that provided excellent hockey entertainment.