Three teams advance
Sudbury Cubs and Timmins Rock of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League and Thunder Bay North Stars of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League have all advanced to the second round of the playoffs via Game 5 victories on Thursday.
NOJHL
Sudbury 5, Espanola 3. Playing at home in front of 715 fans at Walden Arena, the Cubs got four points from Cole Crowder and 34 saves from Noah Metivier to eliminate the Paper Kings in what was a hard fought series.
Timmins 4, French River 3. Brady Harroun’s second goal of the game and sixth of the playoffs lifted the Rock past the resilient Rapids to take the series in front of close to 800 fans at McIntyre Arena in Timmins.
SIJHL
Thunder Bay 6, Red Lake 0. Keenan Marks was right on the mark with a 50-save shutout as the North Stars sent the visiting Miners packing for the season.