Top-Seeded Cubs to Face Off Against Sixth-Ranked Thunderbirds in NOJHL Semi-Final Showdown -

The Soo Thunderbirds’ semi-final best-of-seven series will be against the number-one ranked NOJHL Sudbury Cubs. The series begins on Thursday, April 3rd, in Sudbury, with a 7:00 p.m start, followed by game two on Friday, April 4th, also in Sudbury, with another 7:00 p.m puck drop. The Thunderbirds will need to bring their best effort to take on the league’s top team and continue their playoff push.

The Thunderbirds finished the regular season with a 1 – 3 record against their next opponents in the NOJHL semi-finals against the Sudbury Cubs. The Cubs needed two overtimes to get two of their wins against the Thunderbirds in 2024 – 2025 while the only win for the Soo came in February 2025 with a score of 4 – 2 in Sault Ste Marie.

The Soo Thunderbirds are set to take on the Greater Sudbury Cubs in the semi-finals after a grueling seven-game quarter-final series against the Blind River Beavers. The Thunderbirds, who finished sixth in the 2024-2025 regular season with a record of 26-23-1-2, needed every bit of effort to secure a 4-3 series win over the Beavers.

The Thunderbirds had a competitive regular season, scoring 179 goals while allowing 177. Despite their mid-table finish, they maintained discipline on the ice, accumulating just 592 penalty minutes—the third-lowest in the league.

Leading the charge offensively was veteran forward Hilliard, Ohio’s Jonathan Sonedecker, who topped the team with 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points. Sonedecker was a key playmaker and clutch performer, netting three powerplay goals and three game-winners while also spending 56 minutes in the penalty box over 46 games.

Beaconsfield, Quebec’s James Legler was the Thunderbirds’ second top playmaker, leading the team in assists with 33 while adding nine goals for a total of 42 points in 44 games. His contributions included three powerplay goals and one game-winning goal, while he remained disciplined with just 33 penalty minutes.

Rounding out the top three in scoring was Sault Ste. Marie native Callum McAuley, who showcased his offensive skills with 18 goals and 23 assists in 42 games. McAuley was especially valuable on the powerplay, scoring six goals, while also netting two game-winners and recording 44 penalty minutes.

Heading into the semi-finals against Sudbury, Legler has been the Thunderbirds’ leading scorer in the postseason, amassing ten points with seven goals and three assists. His playoff run has included a game-winning goal and 33 penalty minutes.

Timmins, Ontario’s McAuley has also been a major contributor in the playoffs, tallying four goals and two assists, including a game-winner, while keeping his penalty minutes at just two through the seven-game quarter-final series.

Rookie James Elliott, a Soo Greyhounds draft pick from Sault Ste. Marie, has impressed in his first postseason appearance. Elliott has recorded three goals and three assists, with one of those goals standing as a game-winner, while keeping disciplined with just four penalty minutes.

Between the pipes, the Thunderbirds relied on the strong tandem of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario’s Noah Metivier and Lincoln Mellenthin during the regular season. Metivier carried the heavier load, appearing in 26 games and earning a record of 10-14-2-1. He posted a 3.65 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage in 1512 minutes of play.

Mellenthin also played 26 games, finishing with a 12-9 record, allowing 70 goals for a 3.07 GAA and an .833 save percentage over 1366 minutes.

In the playoffs, Metivier has been the backbone of the team, playing in all seven quarter-final games. He has posted a 4-1 record with one overtime loss, allowing just 16 goals for a 2.44 GAA and an impressive .925 save percentage. His performance included one shutout in 393 minutes played.

Marshall, Minnesota’s Mellenthin saw limited action in the quarter-finals, playing just 33 minutes in one game, allowing one goal for a 1.80 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

The Sudbury Cubs have cemented themselves as the team to beat in the NOJHL, finishing the 2024-2025 regular season ranked first overall. With a dominant record of 44-6-1-2, the Cubs showcased their offensive firepower and defensive strength, tallying 252 goals while allowing only 114. Their disciplined yet aggressive play saw them accumulate 688 penalty minutes, the fourth-most in the league across 52 games.

Leading the way for the Cubs during the 2024 – 2025 regular season was veteran forward Lucas Signoretti from Kanata, Ontario, who played in 50 games and led all Sudbury players with 46 goals and 55 assists. His well-rounded offensive game included nine powerplay goals and five shorthanded tallies, all while staying disciplined with just 24 penalty minutes.

Little Current, Ontario’s Sam Assinewai was another key contributor, finishing second in team scoring with 34 goals and 38 assists in 39 games. A force on the powerplay, Assinewai led the team with 17 powerplay goals and spent 75 minutes in the penalty box.

Despite playing only 26 regular season games, forward Nolan Newton from French River, Ontario made a significant impact, recording 24 goals and 24 assists. His eight powerplay goals further highlighted his offensive prowess, though he also accumulated 75 penalty minutes.

The Cubs benefited from a strong tandem in net, with Hanmer, Ontario’s Nolan Beaulne and Sudbury, Ontario’s Karsen Chartier splitting duties during the regular season. Beaulne played 28 games, posting an impressive 18-4-1-1 record. He allowed just 61 goals, earning a 2.44 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage over 1503 minutes of play.
Chartier was equally reliable in his 12 appearances, winning 11 games while suffering just one loss. He allowed only 20 goals, boasting a stellar 1.76 goals-against average, one shutout, and a .923 save percentage across 259 minutes in net.

The Cubs continued their dominance in the postseason, sweeping the Iroquois Falls Storm in four games during the quarter-finals. Chartier was the go-to goaltender, playing all four games and securing a perfect 4-0 record. He allowed only nine goals, recording a 2.08 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage, and one shutout over 259 minutes in net.
Offensively, Signoretti continued his regular-season brilliance, leading the team with seven goals and four assists, including one powerplay marker. Assinewai followed with four goals and two assists, two of which came on the powerplay. Newton rounded out the top three scorers with one goal and five assists in the series.

As the top-seeded Cubs prepare for their semi-final showdown against the Soo Thunderbirds, they will look to maintain their offensive firepower and defensive stability. With elite scorers like Signoretti, Assinewai, and Newton leading the charge and a formidable presence in net with Chartier and Beaulne, Sudbury is in prime position to continue their march toward the NOJHL finals.