Looking for their fifth straight road win of the 2021 – 2022 season, the (8-2-0-1) Soo Thunderbirds hit the road east to face the (7-8) Sudbury Cubs in a west division Northern Ontario Hockey League matchup on Sunday, October 24th at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.

With the lone goal of the game in Sudbury and on a powerplay, Thunderbird captain Brock Santa Maria catches a pass from Cooper Foster to fire a wrist shot over Cubs goaltender Joel Rainville’s catcher to give the Soo a 1 – 0 win at 6:32 of the third for Santa Maria’s third of the season. Joel Rainville stopped 18 of 19 shots for the Cubs while Noah Zeppa turned away 11 of 11 in the first twenty minutes before being replaced by netminder Noah Metivier for the final two periods. With making eleven saves, Metivier was credited for the visitors in the 1 – 0 win against the Cubs.

Thunderbird blueliner Andrew Gibson told Saultsports that “I think the boys came out a little sloppy but Zeppa came to play for us today. We started to pick up the pace and eventually we managed to put one in to seal it.”

“Good road win tonight. We got off to a good start but couldn’t find a way to get to the net. Credit to them, they played well in front of their goalie. Nice to get one late and ride Metivier’s solid play in the third to a victory.  Zeppa wasn’t feeling well in between the second and third so Metivier jumped in for the third. Both Noah’s were outstanding tonight in net,” said Soo coach Cole Jarrett.

The Thunderbirds now will prepare for their Friday, October 29th contest in Sault Ste Marie when they step on the ice to host the Sudbury Cubs in a 7:30 p.m west division contest.

Photo: Bob Davies