Zeppa, Metivier combine for shutout as Thunderbirds blank Cubs

Scoring chances and goals were at a premium on Sunday as the Soo Thunderbirds hit the road to face the Great Sudbury Cubs in Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League action.

A goal by Brock Santa Maria was the difference as the Thunderbirds beat the Cubs 1-0 at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex in Sudbury.

With the Thunderbirds on the power play, Santa Maria found himself in the right faceoff circle and took a pass from defenceman Andrew Gibson before beating Sudbury goaltender Joel Rainville high short side 6:32 into the third.

Noah Zeppa got the start for the Thunderbirds, stopping 11 shots in two periods of work.

Zeppa left the game after the second period and did not return to the ice for the third. Noah Metivier entered the game and stopped all nine shots he faced in the final period to preserve the shutout.

Rainville made 18 saves for the Cubs in defeat.

The win improves the Thunderbirds record to 9-2-0-1 (win-loss-overtime loss-shootout loss) while Sudbury falls to 7-9-0-0.

The Thunderbirds sit atop the NOJHL’s West Division standings with 19 points.

The Soo (Mich.) Eagles, Blind River Beavers, and Espanola Express sit in a three-way tie for second in the division with 15 points while Sudbury is third with 14 points.

The Thunderbirds return to action on Friday night at home in a return matchup with the Cubs at the John Rhodes Community Centre. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m.