Cubs clipped by Blizzard in Centennial Cup play Saturday
The Northern Manitoba Blizzard (MJHL) rallied from an early third period deficit with a five-goal barrage to upend the Greater Sudbury Cubs 6-3 Saturday in Day 3 action Saturday at the Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, in Calgary.
Converting on the night’s initial man advantage opportunity, the Cubs capitalized when Michael MacLean teed up Lincoln Moore in the high slot where he ripped a shot over the shoulder of Blizzard netminder Taye Timmerman at 6:55 of the first period.
Pulling even in the second stanza, Northern Manitoba’s Jack Linton snagged a loose puck at the top of the crease that a Greater Sudbury defender could not control, and while falling, managed to knock in a low backhand between the legs of goaltender Karsen Chartier.
Pushing the pace from there, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League champion-Blizzard held a big edge in the shots on goal department the rest of the frame, but the efforts of Chartier helped keep the game tied after 40 minutes.
Heading to the third, the Cubs wasted little time in retaking the lead as Spencer Horgan tucked in a backhand into a gaping net off a rebound from a Daks Klinkhammer shot from up high, 19 seconds in.
Tying it up once more five minutes later, Cheechoo Lathlin of the Blizzard cranked a one-time blast from the point during a power play after Greater Sudbury had been nabbed for having too many skaters on the ice.
Northern Manitoba then took the lead on another man advantage chance when Brett Ward took a Esteban Conq-Mars pass in the left circle and hammered it past Chartier with 11 minutes to play.
Coming right back, Ben Harris drew the Cubs level moments later as he worked his way between the circles from the left side and neatly picked the corner over the blocker of Timmerman at 9:31.
Going back on top, Northern Manitoba got the game-winner six minutes later when Alexandre Andre scooped up the rebound off a Keenan McNeil attempt and lifted it up high over the Sudbury goalkeeper.
Tacking on another on the next shift, Tyler Dahms roofed a backhand to extend their lead with a nifty power move around a defenceman from the left side.
Another for Linton, into an empty net, capped off the victory for the Blizzard in the latter stages of the contest.
Picking up player of the game honours in the match-up were Moore and Linton.
Shots on goal finished up 35-21 in favour of Northern Manitoba.
The 1-1-0 Cubs return to game action in Calgary on Monday evening at they take on the 1-0-1 Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) at 6 p.m. ET.
Games are streamed on a pay-per-view basis via HNLive.ca.
