*Greater Sudbury Climbs to 18-2-1-1 with Thrilling Comeback*
**Greater Sudbury, ON** — The Greater Sudbury Cubs put on an incredible display of resilience on November 17, mounting a dramatic third-period comeback to defeat the Soo Thunderbirds 5-4 in overtime at the John Rhodes Community Centre. The Cubs, who trailed by as many as two goals in the final frame, secured the victory with a swift and decisive play in extra time.
The game began with a bang, as Nolan Newton scored a quick goal just 37 seconds into the first period, firing a shot through a maze of bodies to give the Cubs an early 1-0 lead. However, the Thunderbirds responded in kind, as James Elliot netted a power-play goal later in the period, assisted by Jake McPherson, to level the score at 1-1.
After a quiet second period, the Thunderbirds came out strong in the third. Jacob Smith gave Soo a 2-1 lead with a sharp-angled shot that deflected off a defender and past Cubs' goaltender Noah Beaulne. Six minutes later, the Thunderbirds extended their advantage to 3-1 when James Legler capitalized on a breakaway.
The Cubs refused to back down, responding with a swift rally. Daks Klinkhammer's accurate shot cut the deficit to 3-2, and Newton added his second of the night to tie the game at 3-3. But the Thunderbirds answered back once again, as Lucas Willoughby’s goal with just under 10 minutes remaining put Soo ahead 4-3.
In what seemed like a dramatic turning point, Greater Sudbury showed its true grit. Klinkhammer, who had already scored once, struck again, firing his second goal of the night on a pass from Jacob Lamoureux to bring the score to 4-4 and send the game into overtime.
It took just 45 seconds of overtime for the Cubs to secure the win. Lucas Signoretti, who has been a reliable clutch performer all season, pounced on a rebound off a shot from Noah Kohan and sent the puck into the back of the net, giving Greater Sudbury the 5-4 victory.
The win not only solidified the Cubs' dominance atop the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) standings but also extended their impressive record to 18-2-1-1. With the Thunderbirds' loss, Soo fell to 10-10-1-1 and dropped to sixth place in the standings.
As the Cubs continue to soar, this thrilling comeback win will serve as a testament to their resilience and determination — key qualities that have defined their remarkable season so far.
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