Everyone knew Nolan Newton would be a difference maker.

With 157 points to his credit accumulating over a total of 119 NOJHL games, the smooth-skating forward returned to the Greater Sudbury Cubs lineup this past weekend, racking up five points in an easy 9-0 win over the French River Rapids.

And though he was held to just two points on Thursday night at home, the Newton contribution was likely even more impactful, netting a pair of goals including the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over the Espanola Paper Kings.

Defenceman Spencer Horgan and Aiden Macartney< with a short-handed tally rounded out to scoring for the Cubs, who jumped all the way up from eighth place into a tie for third with the win.

Graydon Guthrie, Joseph Coates and Cameron Menard lit the lamp for the visitors, solving Sudbury goaltender Mateo Beites who picked up his second straight win with a 24-save performance.

Jack Helkie was busier at the other end of the rink, making 42 saves for the Paper Kings who saw their record drop to 4-3-0-0 with the loss.

Sudbury will take their 3-2-0-0 mark on the road this Saturday, facing the Soo Thunderbirds in the Lock City, returning home next Thursday to play host to the much-improved Iroquois Falls Storm.