Written by Gary Moskalyk
The Greater Sudbury Cubs scored two power play goals in the second period to eke out a 2-1 win over Kam River in game four action at the Centennial Cup. The pivotal win put the Cubs into the quarterfinals while dashing the hopes of the Walleye, who nonetheless accorded themselves well in all four games they played.
Greater Sudbury outshot Kam River 15-3 in the first, Kam River dominated the third with a 16-2 differential. When the dust settled Lincoln Moore’s second period strike proved to be the decisive blow.
All of the scoring was done in the second period.
Greater Sudbury’s Nolan Newton deflected Lucas Signoretti’s pass past Ashton Sadauskas on a Sudbury power play at 11:46. Kam River’s Easton Debray tied it three minutes later, shoveling the puck under Karsen Chartier’s pad during a delayed penalty with Sadauskas pulled for an extra man. Jett Mintenko and Kaden Goodwin collected the helpers. Moore, who scored in the three previous preliminary games, made it four in a row, going stick side from the slot after accepting a behind the net pass from Sam Assinewai at 16:32 on another Greater Sudbury power play. Spencer Horgan collected the secondary assist.
That was it for scoring. Carter Poddubny took a couple of whacks at a loose puck just a minute into the third. Chartier robbed Kam River’s Sam Sargent from point blank range around the six-minute mark for his best save.
Greater Sudbury killed off a five-minute major to Alexandre Valade to maintain their slim lead. Kam River’s Caleb Labelle rang one off the post and Debray hit iron on a one-timer on two good looks during the man advantage.
Signoretti had a breakaway with 4:30 left, but sent his backhander wide.
Sadauskas was pulled with 1:22 left but the Walleye could not find the equalizer.
Final shots favoured the Walleye 29-23.
Greater Sudbury was 2-4 on the power play. Kam River was 0-3. Brodie McLeod was named player-of-the-game for Kam River. Assinewai received the white cowboy hat for Great Sudbury.
Chartier had 28 saves for the win.
Ashton Sadauskas made 21 saves in the loss. The Parksville, BC native stopped 114 of the 123 shots he faced, forging a 2.25 goals against average and .927 save percentage.
The Walleye allowed nine goals in four games, fewest in the tournament, winning 2-1 in overtime, and losing by scores of 3-1, 3-2 and 2-1.
Sadauskas, who played every minute in Kam River’s 12-2 championship playoff run, shared his thoughts on the bus ride back from Calgary. The Kam River win at the Centennial Cup was league-altering. The close losses–a bounce or two away from making the Centennial Cup playoffs– bode well for SI going forward.
“It was cool to go in there and win a game. We came into the tournament with an open mind,” said Sadauskas. “Obviously, we wanted to win, to make the quarterfinals. We played all close games. We played good hockey when we were there.”
All the option are open for Sadauskas, who would like to continue school and play more hockey. He quickly credited his Junior A success to his teammates.
“A lot of my success I can attribute to the team. We play the right way. We play a good defensive game. Honestly, it’s never really about myself. More of a team mindset,” he said.
As the SIJHL chapter of his hockey career ends, Sadauskas reflected back.
“We were sad it was over. It doesn’t sink in right away. There were definitely some tears in that dressing room. We’re sad it’s over. It’s such a close group. It really sunk in after the game that that would be our last game together with that team.”
Sadauskas was named Top Goalie of the tournament as he had one of the most outstanding performances of any goalie at the tournament. Sadauskas faced 123 shots with 114 saves leading to the best SV% of the tournament at .926 with a GAA of 2.24.