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Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
After a tough 7-4 loss in game one of the semi-final series against the Greater Sudbury Cubs on Thursday, April 3rd, the Soo Thunderbirds faced off against the Cubs again less than 24 hours later in Game 2 on Friday, April 4th. Despite a strong effort, the Thunderbirds fell short, losing 4-2 and finding themselves in a 2-0 hole in the best-of-seven series.
The game started with a bang for Sudbury, who capitalized on a powerplay opportunity at 8:32 of the first period. Lucas Signoretti fired a cross-crease pass to Nolan Newton, who was perfectly positioned in front of the Soo net to beat Thunderbird goalie Noah Metivier, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead.
The Thunderbirds responded quickly when Camden Cowan won a faceoff to the right of the Cubs’ net and sent the puck back to defenseman James McDowall. McDowall fired a shot past Sudbury’s goaltender Noah Beaulne at 10:32, tying the game at 1-1. However, Sudbury regained the lead at 15:22, with a fortunate play. Metivier was sprawled across the crease, and Cubs’ forward Ben Harris found himself all alone on the right side of the net. Harris slid the puck into the empty net, putting the Cubs ahead 2-1. Signoretti registered his second assist of the game on the play.
The Cubs extended their lead in the second period, taking advantage of another powerplay opportunity. At 3:46, Mason Walker caught a pass from Signoretti in the left faceoff circle and slipped the puck under Metivier to give Sudbury a 3-1 lead.
The Thunderbirds fought back, getting their first shot of the period just 42 seconds later. Jame Legler fired a shot from the left faceoff circle, beating Beaulne to pull the Thunderbirds within one at 4:28, making it 3-2. But Sudbury responded once again. With the Cubs on another powerplay, Alexandre Valade fired a slapshot from the right blue line that was tipped by Ben Harris under Metivier’s glove, giving Sudbury a 4-2 lead at 7:06. Michael MacLean provided the assist on Harris’s second goal of the night.
Despite some strong individual efforts and 37 shots on goal, the Thunderbirds couldn’t close the gap. Beaulne was solid in net for the Cubs, stopping 33 of 37 shots. Metivier, while facing fewer shots, stopped 18 of 20 but couldn’t find a way to keep the Thunderbirds in the game.
With the series now at 2-0 in favor of the Cubs, the Thunderbirds will return home to Sault Ste. Marie on Monday, April 7th, with hopes of bouncing back. Game three of the series will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the John Rhodes Centre, where the Thunderbirds will look to get their first win in the series and begin their push to even things up.
The Thunderbirds will need to tighten up defensively and find a way to capitalize on their scoring chances along with staying out of the penalty box if they hope to climb back into the series. Fans can expect a passionate performance as the Soo looks to defend their home ice and get back into the fight for the championship.
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