If only five on five hockey counted, the French River Rapids would have left the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex a happy crew Thursday night, victors by a 3-2 count over the Greater Sudbury Cubs.
Unfortunately for the visitors, the Cubs struck for four goals on the power-play and added two short-handed markers, extending their current win streak to 11 games thanks to an 8-4 triumph over the Rapids.
In many ways, French River can blame Lucas Signoretti for that end result as the crafty forward potted no less than five goals, including two each on both sides of the special teams' equation, leading the Sudbury outburst that overcame a 2-1 French River lead early in period two.
"It was a little scary there at the start of the second; they were all over us," noted 20 year-old Sudbury veteran Ryan Rubic, who netted the only goal of period one on a lovely feed from linemate Cameron Shanks.
"But once we get our feet moving, it's hard for other teams to keep up."
Limited to just 21 of his team's first 29 games, largely due to a pair of injuries, Rubic found the back of the net for a second straight game, a very good sign in his mind.
"I think the way I played tonight, I felt like I was there," said the 6'1" bruiser. "I have been in and out of the lineup, but I am getting back into things and it felt good."
With five points on his stat line to go along with 35 minutes in penalties, it is clear can offer a little extra room for the likes of Lucas Signoretti and others to do their thing - though he fully understands there is a line that he must carefully straddle.
"Sometimes, it's a little difficult. It can get a little heated out there," said Rubic. "Just don't be dumb. Don't hit guys dirty, keep it clean."
Coming off their first league title in more than a decade and looking more than ready to take a serious run at repeating, Rubic is excited about the 2024-2025 edition of the Cubs.
"We have such great depth in our lineup - and a great room," he said. "Everybody has fun so we can just go out there and play."
Joining Signoretti and Rubic on the Sudbury side of the scoresheet was Samuel Assinewai with two power play goals of his own while Alexandre Dubuc, Dominic Bzdyl, Noah Szczurek and Cameron Jansa replied for the vastly improved French River representatives.
The Cubs travel to Massey to face the Elliot Lake Vikings on Friday night, back at home Thursday against the Espanola Paper Kings while French River still has three games before Christmas: road encounters with the Powassan Voodoos and Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and a home tilt in Noelville versus the Iroquois Falls Storm.
