Sudbury Five take 2-0 series lead with comeback win over Montreal Toundra

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Sudbury Five eye road closeout after 2-0 start in BSL playoff series

Sudbury Five eye playoff series sweep in Montreal this week

Sudbury Five: Game 2 highlights

Sudbury Five says they're ready for Montreal

It was a Sudbury Saturday night for the ages as the Sudbury Five erased an early 16-point deficit to defeat the Montreal Toundra 103-101 at Sudbury Community Arena, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Basketball Super League playoff series in front of a crowd of about 1,325.

The second-seeded Five, who won Game 1 on Friday night 105-96, rallied from a 43-27 second-quarter hole behind a 21-0 run that shifted the momentum for good.

Five weather early storm

Montreal opened the game shooting 68.4 per cent from the field in the first quarter, building a 34-25 lead after 12 minutes. The Toundra pushed the advantage to 16 points early in the second before Sudbury began its comeback.

“They came out like crazy hot in the first quarter,” said Sudbury Five head coach Joey Puddister speaking to reporters after the game.

“We had a couple lapses, but it was honestly just, they’re really talented basketball players. They hit really tough shots over good defense. Our guys stayed locked in, weathered the storm, knew that it wasn’t sustainable, that they can’t keep that stuff up for four quarters.”

The statistical swing was dramatic. After allowing Montreal to shoot 68.4 per cent in the opening frame, Sudbury held the Toundra to just 20 per cent shooting in the second quarter. Montreal’s three-point accuracy also plummeted from 33.3 per cent in the first to 14.3 per cent in the second. The Five outscored the visitors 29-15 in the period to take a 54-49 lead into halftime. After managing only 25 points in the first quarter, Sudbury scored 31 or more in each of the next two frames, including 31 in the third on 61.1 per cent shooting. Montreal saw its offensive efficiency crater in the second quarter with just four field goals on 20 attempts.

Defensive turnaround sparks run

Puddister said the 21-0 run that gave Sudbury control of the game came down to defensive focus.

“We just established that it was strictly defense that was the determining factor on their run,” Puddister said.

“I don’t even think most timeouts I’d drop our next set and the play we’re gonna run, we didn’t talk anything about offense, we didn’t talk anything about set plays, we’re just gonna get stops and get out and transition and play.”

Captain Duane Notice led the Five with 30 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, shooting 5-for-9 from three-point range and 10-for-19 from the field in 46 minutes. Charlie Marquardt added 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting from beyond the arc, finishing 6-for-9 overall from the field. Alex Kotov contributed 14 points and nine rebounds on 6-for-14 shooting.

“Charlie doing what he does, getting open,” Notice said in his post-game remarks. “It’s an ocean for him when he lets that thing fly. So, I think he was the catalyst for us.”

Family inspires captain’s performance

Notice played in front of his mother, father and uncle who made the trip from Toronto to see the game.

“Everything you work for behind the scenes, getting a chance to showcase it, display it,” Notice said.

“Having a victory coming on top means everything. Having to make that drive coming from Toronto, the weather, the long drive, I really appreciate that. I’m grateful.”

Notice said the team’s ability to handle adversity during the regular season prepared them for the playoff battle.

“We prepared for these moments all year,” Notice said. “We had a couple of lulls where we lost Kitchener a couple of times, but I felt like I always said it last year, adversity is a privilege for us. So we went through a lot of adversity, especially in the last part of the season and I think it prepared us for these moments.”

Puddister praises captain’s leadership

The head coach credited Notice’s work ethic for his playoff performance.

“No accident,” Puddister said. “He’s first guy in the gym, last guy to leave, puts an incredible amount of time in outside of practice, in the weight room, at treatment, stuff like that and then just getting tons of shots every single day, he does something to get one per cent better.

Notice previously battled career-threatening injuries, something Puddister said has shaped his composure.

“True professional, just through and through 100 per cent, and very calm in these types of moments, great leader,” Puddister said. “He’s battled through a lot throughout his career and because of that, he’s comfortable when it’s a pressure situation.”

Series shifts to Montreal

The series now moves to Centre Pierre Charbonneau in Montreal for Game 3 on Wednesday.

Notice said the team must create its own energy on the road.

“All 12 guys, including the coaching staff and the medical staff, just got to lock in and provide our own energy,” Notice said. “Next man up mentality, we have a couple guys banged up. I played a lot of minutes tonight. Charlie did as well. AK rolled his ankle, didn’t even play today.”

Notice added that he welcomes the hostile environment.

“I love playing in Montreal, though,” Notice said. “It’s a fun crowd. They’re very hostile. So, for me, I love getting a roadkill. We call it a business trip. So, for me, I’m excited to close it out over there in Montreal.”

Puddister said Montreal will bring increased desperation in Game 3.

“They’re literally playing for their lives, for their season, for their careers, you know what I mean?” Puddister said. “So yeah, I don’t know if it’s necessarily their style that’s going to change. They’re going to play hard as always, but there’ll be a little more sense of urgency.”

The head coach said jokingly he is only packing one suit for the trip.

Ketarrious Bouchum led Montreal with 27 points in the losing effort. Tafari Beckford added 20 points and eight rebounds. The Toundra recovered to shoot 53.3 per cent in the fourth quarter and forced a 101-101 tie with 47 seconds remaining, but Sudbury’s defence held on the game’s final possession. The Five finished with a 47.1 per cent clip from three-point range on 34 attempts, while Montreal shot 33.3 per cent from deep. Sudbury also overcame a 42-38 rebounding deficit and 30 bench points from the visitors.

“Two down ‘check’ ‘check’ – #DefendTheThrone,” the team posted on social media following Saturday’s victory.

The Five have carried the hashtag #DefendTheThrone throughout the season as they pursue back-to-back BSL titles.

The Five improved to 6-2 against Montreal this season across regular season and playoffs. Sudbury has now won four consecutive meetings dating back to the regular season.

Game 4, if necessary, would also be played in Montreal on Thursday.