MacKay, Sandin notch 1st goals as Hounds open week with win

Story by soogreyhounds.com  |  Photo by James Egan Photography

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON-
They held their opponent to season low twenty-one shots against, but it took a come-from-behind victory for the Greyhounds to take the advantage in this year’s edition of the Bell Challenge Cup against the Sudbury Wolves.

Thanks to scoring the final three goals of the game, including a final minute goal in overtime, the Hounds weathered another close contest in the 5-4 victory.

“I think we are real lucky to get the two (points), especially the way their goalie was playing.  We had to dig deep to be able to find the back of the net.  At the end of the day, we get two points you’re happy with that, but I don’t think we are happy with the overall performance of the team” commented Greyhounds Head Coach Drew Bannister post-game.

The night was highlighted with the first-career Ontario Hockey League goals by both COLE MACKAY and RASMUS SANDIN, who was making his home ice debut.

Six minutes (6:37) into the first period BORIS KATCHOUK stripped his man behind the Sudbury goal and then backhanded the puck to MACKAY who stood just outside the crease, where the Sault Ste. Marie native fired low past Jake McGrath for the 1-0 lead.
It was the ninth time this season the Hounds have scored the opening goal in a game.

While playing 4-on-4 a couple minutes later (8:32) a bounce in front of the Greyhounds net saw Owen Gilhula bury the game-tying goal to make it 1-1.

Sudbury would appear to gain life off that tally and just under ten minutes later would pull ahead in the game, a lead they would take into the dressing room after twenty minutes.
Gilhula would execute a wrap-around to TYLER JOHNSON’s left, and fire home his own rebound for his second goal of the night and the 2-1 lead.

After weathering a Greyhounds 5-on-3 that lasted 1:13, Sudbury increase their lead to a pair of goals before the second period was midway through.
At 9:35, Noah Serre capitalized on a Hounds turnover and shot five-hold for his own first-career OHL goal to make it a 3-1 game.

RASMUS SANDIN brought the Essar Centre to life in his home-ice debut getting on the board and scoring his first by finishing off a set-up between himself, MORGAN FROST and BORIS KATCHOUK at 12:02 as the Hounds sat trailing 3-2.

A couple minutes later CONOR TIMMINS would receive a five-minute major for kneeing to put Sudbury on their one-and-only powerplay of the game.
And while TIM GETTINGER started it off with a shorthanded breakaway that was fired wide, Sudbury would convert on the latter half of the major to regain their two goal cushion.

Dmitry Sokolov picked five-hold at 17:08 to make it a 4-2 game and end the evening for JOHNSON who was thus replaced by MATTHEW VILLALTA.

Sudbury led 4-2 heading into the third period.

But a quick start instilled life into the Hounds.
Just nineteen seconds into the third period COLE MACKAY notched his second goal of the game, and of his season, before just over two minutes later BORIS KATCHOUK caught Sudbury one a line change and streaked in before backhanding home the game-tying goal.

The Hounds outshot Sudbury 17-5 in the third period but would be heading to overtime for the sixth time this season, second against the Wolves.

With thirty-six seconds remaining in the extra session, BORIS KATCHOUK put home his second goal of the night and fifth game winner of the season as the Hounds picked up the come-from-behind victory.

The line of KATCHOUK, FROST and MACKAY combined for ten points on the night.

“Cole’s played extremely well since we put him in that spot.  Frosty (Morgan Frost) was real good.  I thought Boris was opportunistic in the opportunities he had.  They play well together.  They’ve been very good the three games they’ve been together” concluded Bannister.

The win improved the Hounds to 11 wins, 3 losses, 2 overtime losses and 0 shootout losses, good for 24 points.

ATTENDANCE – 3,488

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1- Boris Katchouk, SSM
2- Cole MacKay, SSM
3- Jake McGrath, SBY

To view the online score sheet CLICK HERE.

NEXT UP;
The Greyhounds will have a rare Friday Night off before capping off the weekend against two more Eastern Conference opponents.

Saturday, November 4th the Niagara IceDogs make their only visit to Sault Ste. Marie this regular season.  Game time is 7:07 PM proudly presented by the Musical Comedy Guild.

Then on Sunday, November 5th (2:07 PM), the North Bay Battalion provide the opposition,.
This game is presented by Enercare.

Don’t forget the team’s commemorative Remembrance Day jerseys are online NOW for blind auction by going HERE or you can stop by Section 117 inside the Essar Centre during either of the next two games.

Proceeds of the auction go to support the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 and the Sault Ste. Marie Military Family Support Group.

Great seats for both games are available by visiting the SK Group Box Office inside the Essar Centre 10 AM to 5 PM Thursday or Friday, 10 AM through game time both Saturday or Sunday, online at www.essarcentre.ca or by phone at 1.866.775.9422.