Cubs roar back in a big way to edge Vikings, 6-5

Rebounding from an early four-goal deficit, the Greater Sudbury Cubs stormed back to knock off the Elliot Lake Vikings 6-5 Friday night in front of a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League pre-season crowd of 400-plus spectators at Centennial Arena.

The Vikings came out flying as they got quick markers on odd-man rushes that were finished off by Dylan Leslie and Anthony Bertrand.

Adding to the offensive outburst, Aaron Shanks neatly deflected a Bertrand attempt from the right of the net during a power play. Leslie then connected once again to put the home side seemingly in control with yet another man advantage effort.

Despite being down by four past the midway point of the proceedings, the visiting Cubs got one back in the back half of the second stanza off the stick of Lucas Antonioni from in close. Getting two more in the third, Greater Sudbury pulled to within one thanks to markers from Brock Houser and Ben Lacroix.

Elliot Lake’s Ryan Daponte put his team ahead by two at 6:19, but the Cubs answered with three straight tallies to pull out the come from behind triumph.

Houser’s second brought the guests ever closer, then saw Oliver Smith strike on the power play a minute and a half later to knot the score at 5-5.

Antonioni completed the comeback with 10:16 to go with what proved to be the game-winner.

The clubs will complete a weekend home-and-home Sunday afternoon in a 2:35 p.m. start at Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.