SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Back at it Tomorrow

SmartStop Post-Game Recap – Back at it Tomorrow

The Steelheads fall 5-2 to the Wolves in the opener of the northern road trip. 

 

First Period

Tonight’s matchup against the Sudbury Wolves marks the return for Steelheads forward Marc Boudreau. Boudreau played in 106 games for the Wolves before being acquired by the Trout in exchange for a 15th round pick. 

The game kicked off on a sour note for the Blue and White, as the Steelheads gave up the first goal of the game just 1:29 into the period. Landon McCallum got Sudbury on the board, as David Goyette set him up with a cross seam pass to make the score 1-0.

With the Steelheads looking to respond quickly, former Wolf Marc Boudreau raced through the neutral zone. Boudreau entered the Sudbury zone and found Jack Van Volsen who was all alone in front, but had his shot stopped by net-minder Jakub Vondras.

After an unsuccessful power play opportunity for the Trout, the game seemed to slow considerably, with neither team producing quality zone time. Some rough housing ensued which brought the game to 4-on-4, but the score remained 1-0. 

Late in the period, the Wolves added to their lead to make the score 2-0. Caedan Taylor scored his first career OHL goal off another cross ice pass. The game entered the first intermission with the Trout down by two. 

 

Shots on Goal – 11 SBY/11 MISS

 

Second Period

After a lacklustre first period, the Steelheads were hemmed into their own zone for the opening two minutes of the second period as well. The Trout managed to survive as Parker Von Richter who has been as steady as they come to start the season cleared the puck. 

The Steelheads then found themselves in penalty trouble, as Zander Veccia was called for tripping. The penalty killers did their job and got the game back to even strength, but right after the penalty ended, the Wolves had a breakaway opportunity. Ryerson Leenders stood tall and made a massive stop, keeping the Trout within two. 

At right around the 14 minute mark, a lengthy stoppage in play was caused due to an ice issue. The Zamboni was forced to come on to the ice, in order to fix the issue, but the game eventually resumed. 

The Steelheads once again found themselves in the box on numerous occasions, and it was the second penalty that was the killer. McCallum scored again for Sudbury to make the score 3-0. That was not all, as the Wolves scored again moments later, to make the score 4-0. 

The Steelheads got a power play opportunity shortly after the fourth Wolves goal, and the Trout got their first of the game. Angus MacDonell received a fantastic pass from Luke Misa and made no mistake putting it past the Sudbury net-minder. 

The game entered the second intermission with the Trout trailing 4-1. 

 

Shots on Goal – 10 SBY/4 MISS

 

Third Period

The Steelheads entered the final frame with lots of work to do, playing from behind the whole game thus far. The Trout seemed to have a bit more of a sense of urgency, as they appeared to be faster on pucks. With the Steelheads needing to score, the Wolves found themselves with breaks, but Leenders stood tall and made an impressive reaction stop with his glove. 

After holding the line on an attempt to clear the zone by Sudbury, Finn Harding showcased his skating ability by dancing into the Wolves slot. The defenseman fired a knuckle puck on target, which fooled Vondras and cut the lead to 4-2. 

The pace of play seemed to slow, which benefited the Wolves, who were holding on to the 4-2 lead. That was until Sudbury found the back of the net once again, to make the score 5-2.  The Steelheads found themselves with a breakaway, as Boudreau flew into the Wolves zone. Boudreau was impeded and unable to get a shot on net, thus rewarding him with a penalty shot. On the ensuing penalty shot, Boudreau did everything right, deking the netminder out, but slid the puck wide. The score remained 5-2.

The time ran out and the Steelheads fell 5-2. 

 

Shots on Goal – 7 SBY/13 MISS

Total Shots – 28 SBY/28 MISS

 

Three Stars:

1. Landon McCallum (2G)
2. Kieron Walton (1G)
3. Nick DeAngelis (+1)

The Steelheads finish their northern road trip in North Bay tomorrow night. Before returning home on Saturday for the 10th annual Pink at the Rink game. To purchase tickets to the Pink at the Rink game, click here.