Dupuis Sinks Otters
Wolves’ rookie goaltender TAYLOR DUPUIS got his first start in goal in over a month and the New Liskeard native responded by stopping 38 of 40 shots that he faced in Erie on Saturday night. Dupuis back-stopped the Wolves to a convincing 7-2 victory and evened his win-loss record to 4-4-1. Dupuis lowered his goals against average to 3.65 and raised his save percentage to .885.
Dupuis was especially sharp in the first period where the Erie Otters fired 20 shots at the Wolves’ young goaltender and only DANE FOX was able to beat the Wolves’ young goaltender with a well-placed shot as he walked in untouched off of a face-off play in the Wolves’ zone. The only other player to beat Dupuis was CONNOR MCDAVID as the 15 year old superstar scored on a break-away early in the third period.
Wolves’ 18-year-old rookie RAY HUETHER had his best game in the OHL with four points. The 6′, 190 lb forward had a goal and three assists and was named the game’s 1st star. CAPTAIN MICHAEL KANTOR was flying on Saturday night and scored two goals to give the Illinois native 14 goals on the season. KANTOR was named the game’s 2nd star.
MATHEW CAMPAGNA continued his torrid scoring pace with a goal and an assist while NICK BAPTISTE scored his 16th goal of the season. BRODY SILK and NATHAN PANCEL had solid offensive games as well with a goal and assist each. CHARLIE DODERO had two helpers while KEVIN RAINE had one assist.
The Wolves led 2-1 after the first and 4-1 after two periods. The Wolves’ penalty kill was outstanding once again as the Wolves killed-off seven Otter power plays. The Wolves scored one power play on only two opportunities. The top ‘plus’ players for the Wolves were HUETHER, CONOR CUMMINS and KEVIN RAINE all at +3.
The Wolves will now finish their weekend schedule against the only team to beat the Wolves in regulation time in the last 20 games. The Wolves lost 2-1 in their last visit to Brampton in January. The Wolves will be looking to avenge that loss and expand their lead on the Battalion who are nipping at the Wolves’ heels in the Eastern Conference standings.
After tomorrow’s game, the Wolves will only have 16 regular season games remaining to qualify and position themselves for post-season play. The Wolves have an even split of 8 home games and 8 road games remaining after Sunday’s game in Brampton.
