Timmins Rock forward Evan Katic’s shot bounces off Greater Sudbury Cubs goalie Iain Wintle during the second period of Game 3 of the best-of-seven NOJHL final at the McIntyre Arena, Tuesday night. Wintle stopped all 27 shots he faced to backstop the Cubs to a 3-0 victory, giving them a 3-0 lead in the series. Photo by THOMAS PERRY /The Daily Press
With the Timmins Rock’s 2026 playoff run on the line heading into Game 4, coach and GM Brandon Perry feels his squad needs to focus on accomplishing one goal
Thomas Perry
The Daily Press/Postmedia Network
Not only did the Timmins Rock go 0-5 on the power play in Game 3 of the NOJHL final at the McIntyre Arena, Tuesday night, they surrendered a pair of shorthanded markers, as well.
As a result, they find themselves facing the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven series after dropping a 3-0 decision.
“I don’t even know what to say,” Rock coach and general manager Brandon Perry said, following the contest.
“I don’t want to beat up on my guys when they are down, but there just aren’t enough guys in there (Rock dressing room) giving us everything they have.
“It is the same five, six or seven forwards and the same two or three D.”
GM2: Cubs hold on to edge Timmins Rock, take 2-0 series lead
Through the first 38 minutes of the contest, Rock goalie Frédéric Cousineau matched Cubs netminder Iain Wintle save for save in a scoreless contest.
“Cous played fantastic,” Perry said, acknowledging the Rock goalie had no chance on either goal that beat him. “I just don’t know what to say.”
Kaedyn Long pounced on a loose puck in the slot and ripped a shot past Cousineau with 1:50 remaining in the second period for a shorthanded marker to break the scoreless tie.
Long’s fifth goal of the playoffs would stand up to be the game-winner and the Cubs forward was tenacious all night long on the penalty kill.
The Cubs were able to double their lead three-and-a-half minutes into the third period when Owen King broke down the right side and drilled a shot past Cousineau for his seventh goal of the post season.
That goal seemed to take a lot of the wind out of the Rock’s sails, although they did have a late push.
Cubs blue-liner Nate Lazarus was sent off for cross-checking with 2:55 remaining in regulation and the Rock pulled Cousineau in favour of an extra attacker to create a six-on-four advantage.
The move backfired, however, as Cubs captain Daks Klinkhammer — who had assisted on Long’s goal — got up after crashing into the boards and deposited his team’s second shorthanded marker into the empty Timmins net.
It was Klinkhammer’s 10th goal of the playoffs.
With the Rock’s 2026 playoff run on the line heading into Game 4, Perry feels his squad needs to focus on accomplishing one goal.
GM1: Cubs maul Timmins Rock to take early lead in NOJHL final
“We just need to win one game, one hockey game, on home ice,” he said. “That’s what we have got to do. We don’t need to win four. We have to win one hockey game.
“That’s all we have to do, but we need a lot more than what we had tonight.
“There’s a big majority of guys in there (Rock dressing room) who are giving everything they have and my heart just breaks for them that other guys don’t see it and jump on board or help them out. They are running on empty.
“We can’t get to the net. We don’t shoot hard. We don’t work hard enough to get through box outs in the O Zone. We don’t care enough. We don’t execute face-off plays when we win draws clean. We don’t care enough to kick pucks out on entries. We don’t care enough to chip pucks.
“There are some guys in there who just want to do it their own way and their own way is not working. They need to give a lot more than they are giving.
“We were good, but we were playing with 11 guys,” Perry said. “Those 11 or 12 guys were great.”
While the power play struggled, the Rock were perfect on the penalty kill, not allowing the Cubs to net any power-play markers on their three man advantages.
“They (the Cubs) are a good hockey team,” Perry said. “It’s no secret what they are, they work hard, they have a ton of skill, structurally, they are solid. Their goaltender has been playing fantastic.
“We know exactly what they are, but it takes more (to beat them) and we just have guys who won’t give more.”
The Rock were once again without the team’s leading playoff goal scorer, Kaeden McArthur (12 goals, 22 points in 12 playoff games), Tuesday night, and he is listed as doubtful for Game 4.
Wintle’s 27-save effort earned him his first shutout of the 2026 playoffs and his ninth victory.
Cousineau, who turned aside 20 of the 22 shots the Cubs directed his way, was tagged with the loss.
NOJHL NOTES — The Daily Press three stars of the game were Wintle (27 saves, win, shutout), Long (game-winning goal) and Klinkhammer (one goal, one assist) … The Rock went 0-5 on the power play and surrendered two shorthanded goals, while the Cubs went 0-3 with the man advantage … Official attendance at the McIntyre Arena was 1,208 … The Rock will host the Cubs for Game 4 of the series at the McIntyre Arena, on Wednesday, at 7:05 p.m.
