Thunderbirds beat Cubs to earn weekend split

A pair of goals by Grayson Ebrahim helped the Soo Thunderbirds to a 5-2 win over the Greater Sudbury Cubs on Saturday night in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League play at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

Ebrahim scored the eventual game-winner just under five minutes into the third period and gave the locals some added insurance with a power play marker with 4:29 to go in regulation time.

Alex Remenda added a goal and an assist for the Thunderbirds in the win while Daniel Beaupre also scored.

Goaltender Kolton Bourret made 33 saves for the Thunderbirds.

Hudson Chitaroni had a goal and an assist for Sudbury.

Noah Kohan also scored for the visitors.

Goaltender Noah Metivier stopped 23 shots.

Winners of eight of their last 10 games, the Thunderbirds improve to 14-5-2-1 and sit five points back of the Cubs for top spot in the NOJHL's West Division.

The Cubs fall to 18-6-0-0.

Saturday's win for the Thunderbirds came after the team dropped a 5-2 decision in the Michigan Sault against the Soo Eagles on Friday night.

Alex Freund scored three times to pace the Eagles offensively. Tyler Fortson and Jack Paweski also scored.

Benjamin Pouliot chipped in with a pair of assists and goaltender Anthony Zolezzi stopped 35 shots.

Remenda had a goal and an assist for the Thunderbirds while Kaden Dundas had two assists.

Jackson Truchan also scored.

Goaltender Maverick Fletcher made 30 saves in the loss.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Nov. 17 when they host the Eagles in a 7 p.m. start at the John Rhodes Community Centre.