Cubs Host Voodoos in Game 5 of NOJHL Championship Series

Sudbury, ON – The Greater Sudbury Cubs look to lift the Copeland Cup – McNamara Trophy for the first time in 16 years on Thursday night. It would be their first championship since 2008, back when they were still called the Sudbury Jr. Wolves. A win for the Cubs means the city of Sudbury would be represented in the Centennial Cup tournament for the first time since the Rayside Balfour Sabrecats did so during the 2002 Royal Bank Cup.

Greater Sudbury return home to the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex after back-to-back wins over Powassan – a 5-0 regulation win Sunday afternoon and a 4-3 overtime win Monday evening. The Cubs look to find their stride on the power play in their return to Countryside, as they only scored twice on seven chances over Games 3 and 4. Sudbury have improved their overall power play percentage to 26.42 per cent (14/53) and are 26.09 per cent on the power play at home these playoffs, converting on six out of 23 chances with the man advantage.

The Voodoos, despite scoring twice on the power play in Game 4, have seen their regular season power play struggles continue into the postseason, entering tonight 11 of 60 (18.33%) with the man advantage these playoffs, and only three of 36 (8.33%) on the power play at home. Powassan have found some success with the man advantage away from home though, converting on eight out of 24 (33.33%) power play opportunities away from home these playoffs. 

Previous meetings

The best-of-seven series between these two clubs is now heavily in the Cubs’ favour as they hold a 3-1 series lead over the Voodoos after Hudson Chitaroni’s overtime winner at 14:07 of the extra frame in Game 4, completing the 4-3 comeback overtime win for Greater Sudbury. Outscoring the Voodoos 13-8 over the series so far, the Cubs have also outscored opponents 7-1 in series-clinching games these playoffs and enter tonight 5-1-1-0 while playing at home this postseason.

Player to watch (Sudbury)

Hudson Chitaroni (07-F) – The 16-year-old rookie sensation continues to dominate these playoffs entering tonight with eight points (6 G, 2 A – 8 Pts) over four games against Powassan and improving his overall totals to 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points in 15 playoff games. The Sault Ste. Marie, ON, native has only been held pointless five times these playoffs.

Player to watch (Powassan)

Chase Thompson (05-F) – The North Bay, ON, native has a goal and four assists for five points in four games against the Cubs this series, and has improved his overall totals to four goals and 10 assists for 14-points in 16 playoff games this season.

BEAR FACTS

PLAYOFF LEADING SCORERS – SUDBURY

1. ^* Hudson Chitaroni (07-F) – 15 GP – 12 G – 9 A – 21 Pts – [3 PPG / 3 PPA / 1 SHG / 3 GWG]
2. Nolan Newton (06-F) – 14 GP – 11 G – 10 A – 21 Pts – [4 PPG / 1 PPA / 3 GWG]
3. Samuel Assinewai (04-F) – 15 GP – 5 G – 8 A – 13 Pts – [4 PPG / 2 PPA]
4. Ethan Larmand (03-F) – 15 GP – 4 G – 8 A – 12 Pts – [2 PPG / 4 PPA / 2 GWG]
5. Mason Chitaroni (04-D) – 15 GP – 0 G – 12 A – 12 Pts – [3 PPA]

* rookie

PLAYOFF LEADING SCORERS – POWASSAN

1. ^* Reyth Smith (07-F) – 16 GP – 9 G – 9 A – 18 Pts – [3 PPG / 2 PPA / 1 GWG]
2. Mathieu MacMillan (04-F) – 16 GP – 10 G – 7 A – 17 Pts – [2 PPG / 1 PPA / 2 GWG]
3. Tucker Shields (03-F) – 16 GP – 5 G – 10 A – 15 Pts – [4 PPA]
4. Chase Thompson (05-F) – 16 GP – 4 G – 10 A – 14 Pts – [4 PPA / 1 GWG]
5. Cameron Lemcke (03-F) – 16 GP – 2 G – 11 A – 13 Pts – [2 PPG / 3 PPA / 1 GWG]

* rookie

PLAYOFF LAST FIVE GAMES – SUDBURY

1. 4-3 OTW @ Powassan (22-04-24)
2. 5-0 W @ Powassan (21-04-24)
3. 2-0 W vs Powassan (19-04-24)
4. 5-2 L vs Powassan (18-04-24)
5. 3-1 W @ Blind River (11-04-24)

PLAYOFF LAST FIVE GAMES – POWASSAN

1. 4-3 OTL vs Greater Sudbury (22-04-24)
2. 5-0 L vs Greater Sudbury (21-04-24)
3. 2-0 L @ Greater Sudbury (19-04-24)
4. 5-2 W @ Greater Sudbury (18-04-24)
5. 4-3 W @ Timmins (16-04-24)

PLAYOFF GOALIE STATS – SUDBURY

1. Noah Metivier (04-G) – 15 GP – 10 W – 3 L – 1 OTL – 3 SO – 1.82 GAA – 0.933 SV%
2. Noah Beaulne (04-G) – 3 GP – 1 W – 0 L – 1.01 GAA – 0.952 SV%

PLAYOFF GOALIE STATS – POWASSAN

1. Daniel Dirracolo (05-G) – 16 GP – 9 W – 6 L – 1 OTL – 3.09 GAA – 0.916 SV%
2. ^* Miles Gordon (05-G) – 1 GP – 0 W – 0 L – 4.32 GAA – 0.818 SV%

* rookie

PLAYOFF RECORDS/POINT STREAKS – SUDBURY

1. Nolan Newton (06-F) – The French River, ON, native has broken out for two goals and three assists for five points over his last two games and now has 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points through 14 playoff games this season.
2. Ethan Larmand (03-F) – The Midland, ON, native recorded two assists in Game 4 against the Voodoos to get back on the scoresheet after being held pointless in Game 3, seeing his five-game point streak snapped. The forward had racked up three goals and four assists for seven points in that span.
3. Noah Kohan (05-F) – The 18-year-old forward has one goal and two assists for three points in his last two games and looks to score in three-straight games coming into tonight.
4. Noah Metivier (04-G) – After recording a combined shutout with backup goalie Noah Beaulne in Game 2 against the Voodoos, the Sault Ste. Marie, ON, native recorded a 48-save shutout in Game 3 to improve to an impressive 10-3-1-0 these playoffs with three shutouts and a goals against average of 1.82.