The Sudbury Big Nickel Bears scored twice in the final five minutes, riding a 20-save performance from netminder Jacob Bartolucci and pulling away for a 5-3 win over the Copper Cliff Hawks in NEHL Peewee play Monday at Countryside Arena.

The Bears opened the scoring just 35 seconds in when blueliner Luca Nardi converted off the rush, before the teams traded goals late in the frame. Tyler Korzeniecki (Bears) and Louis Mullin-Belanger (Hawks) found the back of the net just 19 seconds apart, giving Sudbury a slim 2-1 advantage heading to the second.

That margin remained intact after a tying goal from Connor Jermyn was offset just 47 seconds later by Ethan Sheppard as the teams retreated to their respective dressing rooms seperated by just a single goal.

Copper Cliff deadlocked the encounter for a second time, with Ryan MacKinnon doing the honours, but the Hawks could not hold on. Ryder Johnston scored twice in the final 4:52, the second coming after a heads-up play at the blueline by teammate Adam Runciman, who kept the Hawks pinned in, giving the Bears the win.

The highlight between the pipes for Bartolucci came when the young netminder stoned Sean Roberts on a penalty shot attempt, challenging aggressively as he did all night.

The late contest was really no contest as Valley East Urban Windows scored two goals in each period, blanking the Nickel Centre Rocks 6-0 in a midget matchup.

Jordan Connors paced the Valley East attack, scoring twice and adding three assists, with Steven Beaupré also enjoying a two-goal game. Alex Campbell and Ryan Brideau rounded out the scoring for Urban Windows, with Jeremy Serré kicking out 19 saves for the shutout.