Cubs host Beavers in Game 3 of West Division Final series

Sudbury, ON – The Greater Sudbury Cubs return home to the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex for Game 3 after opening their second round West Division Championship series against the Blind River Beavers with a two-game split – a 2-1 win in Game 1 on Thursday and a 6-2 defeat in Game 2 on Saturday. Game 3 will be the Cubs’ first home game since March 28th when they shutout the Soo Thunderbirds 4-0 in Game 5 of the West Division Semifinals, a series that Sudbury won 4-2.

Greater Sudbury look to find their stride on the power play in their return to Countryside, scoring just one goal with the man advantage in 10 opportunities at home these playoffs. The Cubs are now just 7/30 on the power play (23.33%) with only the one power play goal at home so far (10.00%). On the penalty kill however, the Cubs have improved to 76.47% effectiveness and have allowed just three goals on 14 times shorthanded this postseason (78.57%).

The Beavers, who have seen plenty of power play time these playoffs with 52 opportunities, scored only 12 times for an effectiveness percentage of just 23.08%. On the road, the Beavers have just three power play goals in 19 chances (15.79%) and have allowed six power play goals on the road these playoffs for a 62.50% away penalty kill effectiveness.

Previous meetings

The best-of-seven series between these two clubs is now a best-of-five after each team got a win in Blind River last week. The Beavers have outscored the Cubs 7-4 over those two games and in game two, they scored six goals against Sudbury for the first time since December 2, 2023. Both teams have five wins this postseason and both are searching for their first Game 3 win of the playoffs. The Beavers were victorious in their final meeting against the Cubs in the regular season, a narrow 4-3 regulation win on the road.

Player to watch (Sudbury)

Nolan Newton (06-F) – This 18-year-old has broken out as a point-per-game player in the postseason with five goals and three assists for eight points in eight games. The French River, ON, native enters tonight on a four-game point streak with three goals and two assists for a total of five points.

Player to watch (Sault Ste. Marie)

Jesse Dupuis (03-F) – The 20-year-old has destroyed his previous season’s playoff point total of three with nine goals and eight assists through nine games this postseason for a total of 17 points. After being held off the scoresheet for the first time in Game 1, the Iroquois Falls, ON, native scored two goals and two assists for four points in Game 2.

BEAR FACTS

PLAYOFF LEADING SCORERS – SUDBURY

1. Nolan Newton (06-F) – 8 GP – 5 G – 3 A – 8 Pts – [1 PPG – 2 GWG]
2. ^* Hudson Chitaroni (07-F) – 8 GP – 3 G – 4 A – 7 Pts – [1 PPG – 1 PPA – 1 GWG]
3. Samuel Assinewai (04-F) – 8 GP – 5 G – 1 A – 6 Pts – [4 PPG]
4. Mason Chitaroni (04-D) – 8 GP – 0 G – 6 A – 6 Pts – [1 PPA]
5. Marshall McCharles (06-F) – 8 GP – 2 G – 3 A – 5 Pts

* rookie

PLAYOFF LEADING SCORERS – BLIND RIVER

1. Jesse Dupuis (03-F) – 9 GP – 9 G – 8 A – 17 Pts – [2 PPG – 2 PPA – 1 GWG]
2. Daniel Vasic (06-F) – 9 GP – 9 G – 4 A – 13 Pts – [4 PPG – 1 PPA]
3. Michael Gallagher (03-F) – 9 GP – 4 G – 6 A – 10 Pts – [2 PPG – 2 PPA – 3 GWG]
4. Jakob Kovacs (03-F) – 9 GP – 3 G – 6 A – 9Pts – [2 PPG – 1 PPA]
5. Evan Fraccaro (03-F) – 9 GP – 1 G – 7 A – 8 Pts – [5 PPA]

PLAYOFF LAST FIVE GAMES – SUDBURY

1. 6-2 L @ Blind River (06-04-24)
2. 2-1 W @ Blind River (04-04-24)
3. 4-0 W @ Soo Thunderbirds (30-03-24)
4. 4-0 W vs Soo Thunderbirds (28-03-24)
5. 4-3 W @ Soo Thunderbirds (26-03-24)

PLAYOFF LAST FIVE GAMES – BLIND RIVER

1. 6-2 W vs Greater Sudbury (06-04-24)
2. 2-1 L vs Greater Sudbury (04-04-24)
3. 5-1 W vs Espanola (31-03-24)
4. 3-2 W @ Espanola (29-03-24)
5. 6-1 W vs Espanola (28-03-24)

PLAYOFF GOALIE STATS – SUDBURY

1. Noah Metivier (04-G) – 8 GP – 5 W – 2 L – 1 OTL – 1 SO – 16 GA – 2.01 GAA – 0.920 SV%

PLAYOFF GOALIE STATS – BLIND RIVER

1. Noah Tegelaar (06-G) – 8 GP – 5 W – 3 L – 20 GA – 2.52 GAA – 0.934 SV%
2. Gavin Disano (03-G) – 1 GP – 0 W – 1 L – 8 GA – 8.00 GAA – 0.840SV%