There's nothing like a little intercity rivalry to get the competitive juices flowing and ramp up the motivation for a group of teenage boys.

Coming into their match-up Wednesday evening with the younger Sudbury U16 AAA Nickel Capitals, the U18 version of the squad had lost four straight to open the 2022-2023 Great North U18 League season, posting an goal differential of -24.

The U16 AAA Caps meanwhile were feel pretty good about themselves, having swept a two-game set from the Timmins Majors at home on the weekend.

But as everyone knows, there is a reason that we play the games.

Sparked by two-goal performances from call-up Benoit Hogue and returning veteran Dominic Morris and a much more than solid 26 save effort from Sault Ste Marie native and now Sudbury goaltender A.J. Borelli, the U18 lads picked up their first win of the year, bouncing their namesakes 4-1 at the Gerry McCrory Sports Complex.

Noaln Cardinal replied with a first period tally in a losing cause as the teams were deadlocked at 1-1 after one period of play, with the U18 crew taking the lead for good in the middle stanza, holding a 2-1 advantage heading into the final frame.

Both teams are back in action this coming weekend with the U18 Nickel Caps welcoming Timmins right back to Sudbury for a two game set (Saturday at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday at 2:00 p.m.) while the U16 Nickel Caps travel to North Bay Saturday to face the undefeated (3-0-0-0) U18 AAA Trappers.