Cubs host Rapids on Food Drive Night

Sudbury, ON – The Greater Sudbury Cubs look to improve on their league-leading home record of
13-2-0-0 on Thursday when they host the French River Rapids for the fourth time this season on Infant Food Drive Night.

The Cubs secured a 4-0 shutout against the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners on November 30^th, closing out their busiest month of their season at 9-2-0-0, and they’re coming off back-to-back games to kick-off December against the Blind River Beavers (Dec. 2) and Espanola Paper Kings (Dec. 3), losing the former and winning the latter with 6-3 scorelines in both games.

The Rapids are playing in their fourth game of December and are hoping to pick up their first win of the month as they roll into the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex to take on the Cubs for the sixth time this season. They’re coming off a stretch of three games in three nights and were outscored a total of 20-5 in those three games.

Previous meetings

While some games have been a lot closer than some lopsided scorelines might suggest, the Cubs boast a 5-0-0-0 record against the Rapids this season and are 19-0-0-0 against them over the last five seasons. Their last matchup came on November 18^th in French River when the Cubs threw 58 shots on goal and cruised to a 9-3 win. In their matchup previous on October 26^th, it was 19-year-old defenceman Mason Chitaroni who played overtime hero scoring 1:19 into the extra period to lift Sudbury to a 3-2 win – a game that proved the Rapids can put some pressure on the dominant Cubs.

Player to watch (Sudbury)

HUDSON MARTIN (07-D) – The 16-year-old rookie defenceman has quietly been making a name for himself, now sitting eighth in team scoring with four goals and 17 assists, good for 21 points through 31 games played. One of only four players to have played in all the Cubs’ games this season, Martin has six points in his last five games – all assists – and has been instrumental on the power play with one power play goal and four power play assists.

Player to watch (French River)

MATTHEW SHULIST (03-F) – The six-foot, 215 lb, left-shooting forward has broken out in a big way for the Rapids this season, setting career bests in points and assists (15G, 16A – 31PTs) in just 28 games played. The 20-year-old is averaging 1.11 points per game and is just two goals shy of tying his career best of 17. He enters play tonight with 18 points in his last 10 games (7G, 11A – 18PTs) that featured a hat trick and multiple four-point-nights in that span.

Bear Facts

LEADING SCORERS – CUBS

1. Oliver Smith (03-F) – 31 GP – 24 G – 31 A – 55 PTs [2 PPG – 9 PPA – 1 SHA – 3 GWG]
2. * Hudson Chitaroni (07-F) – 28 GP – 17 G – 20 A – 37 PTs [4 PPG – 6 PPA – 2 GWG]
3. Cameron Shanks (04-F) – 29 GP – 9 G – 21 A – 30 PTs [1 PPA – 1 SHG – 1 SHA – 2 GWG]
4. Samuel Assinewai (04-F) – 17 GP – 12 G – 14 A – 26 PTs [2 PPG – 3 PPA – 1 GWG]
5. Cameron Walker (03-F) – 30 GP – 13 G – 12 A – 25 PTs [3 PPG – 6 PPA – 2 SHG – 1 SHA – 1 GWG]

* rookie

LEADING SCORERS – RAPIDS

1. Matthew Shulist (03-F) – 28 GP – 15 G – 16 A – 31 PTs [2 PPG – 3 PPA – 2 SHG]
2. Kai Clayton (04-F) – 29 GP – 10 G – 13 A – 23 PTs [3 PPG – 1 PPA – 2 SHA]
3. Dominic Bzdyl (04-F) – 27 GP – 7 G – 13 A – 20 PTs [6 PPA – 2 SHG]
4. Nolan Masson (05-F) – 26 GP – 8 G – 10 A – 18 PTs [2 PPG – 3 PPA – 1 SHA – 1 GWG]
5. * Jesse Lefebvre (06-F) – 31 GP – 8 G – 10 A – 18 PTs [1 PPG – 2 PPA – 1 SHA]

* rookie

LAST FIVE GAMES – CUBS

1. 6-3 W @ Espanola (03-12-2023)
2. 6-3 L @ Blind River (02-12-2023)
3. 4-0 W vs Kirkland Lake (30-11-2023)
4. 5-3 W @ Espanola (24-11-2023)
5. 6-1 W vs Iroquois Falls (23-11-2023)

LAST FIVE GAMES – RAPIDS

1. 7-2 L @ Timmins (03-12-2023)
2. 6-3 L @ Hearst (02-12-2023)
3. 7-0 L @ Iroquois Falls (01-12-2023)
4. 6-5 W vs Hearst (25-11-2023)
5. 5-2 W vs Iroquois Falls (24-11-2023)

GOALIE STATS – CUBS

1. Noah Metivier (04-G) – 21 GP – 15 W – 4 L – 2.59 GAA – 0.918 SV% – 2 SO
2. Noah Beaulne (04-G) – 13 GP – 9 W – 3 L – 2.72 GAA – 0.905 SV%

GOALIE STATS – RAPIDS

1. Elijah Grant (04-G) – 22 GP – 6 W – 6 L – 1 OTL – 4.08 GAA – 0.921 SV%
2. Brady Dyer (03-G) – 16 GP – 1 W – 11 L – 6.86 GAA – 0.853 SV%
3. Michael O’Sullivan (03-G) – 2 GP – 0 W – 1 L – 6.07 GAA – 0.873 SV%

POINT STREAKS OR RECORDS – CUBS

1. Oliver Smith (03-F) is one point shy of 180 career NOJHL points (79G, 100A – 179PTs) and enters tonight with 12 points (6G, 6A) in his last five games.
2. Cameron Shanks (04-F) enters tonight with five points (1G, 4A) in his last five games and is two points shy of tying his season total in points (32).
3. Ryan Rubic (04-F) has already set a season-high in goals, assists, and points (6G, 9A – 15PTs) in 30 games played this season, and enters tonight with nine points (3G, 6A – 9PTs) in his last 10 games. 

POINT STREAK OR RECORDS – RAPIDS

1. Matthew Shulist (03-F) enters tonight with 18 points in his last 10 games and is two assists shy of reaching 30 assists on his career. The 20-year-old has 61 points (33G, 28A – 61PTs) in 72 NOJHL career games.
2. Kai Clayton (04-F) has seven points (4G, 3A – 7Pts) in his last 10 games coming into tonight.
3. Jesse Lefebvre (06-F) enters tonight with 10 points (5G, 5A – 10PTs) in his last 10 games.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS – CUBS

Nov. 23, 2023 – Greater Sudbury Cubs acquired Mateo Signoretti (06-F) from Okanagan U18 Prep AAA (CSSHL) for a Player Development Fee.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS – RAPIDS

Oct. 26, 2023 – French River Rapids transferred Will Bourre (04-F) to Ayr Centennials (GOJHL) for a Player Development Fee.