Goaltender Noah Metivier and the Greater Sudbury Cubs finally surrendered a goal - but scoring twice within a first period span of 36 seconds, the visitors were able to draw first blood in the NOJHL West Division final.

Markers from Samuel Assinewai and Cameron Walker would stand as Metivier extended his shutout streak to 151:41 before Tyler Vorstadt broke through on the power play for the Blind River Beavers.

That, however, was the only one of the 36 shots directed his way that Metivier would not save as the Cubs edged the Beavers 2-1 in game one of a matchup of the top two teams in the division, separated by just two points at the end of the 2023-2024 regular season.

Having disposed of the Soo Thunderbirds in six games after posting back to back 4-0 shutouts to close out the first round series, the Sudbury crew are facing a Blind River team with momentum also on their side.

Down three games to one to the Espanola Paper Kings, the Beavers rallied to record victories by scores of 6-1, 3-2 and 5-1, ensuring that their 45-12-0-1 campaign would not go for naught drastically early.

Noah Tegelaar was tagged with the loss between the pipes for the home side, despite a 38-save performance, with the teams combining for just eight minor penalties, including a check from behind infraction to Clark Furman (Blind River) that would see the Regina native expelled from the game near the very end of period two.

This highly anticipated battle continues Saturday night in Blind River, with games three and four set for the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex on Monday (April 8th) and Tuesday (April 9th) of next week.