Wolves Bested by League Best
The Sudbury Wolves played host to the top team in the Canadian Hockey League, the Erie Otters, for the only time this season Sunday afternoon. The Otters proved why they are one of the best teams in the CHL as they defeated the Wolves by a final score of 8-2.
The Wolves started the first period with lots of energy and constantly put pressure on Otters goaltender DEVIN WILLIAMS. MATT SCHMALZ opened the scoring to put the Wolves up 1-0 before the Erie Otters responded with three goals from KYLE MAKSIMOVICH, NICK BETZ and DYLAN STROME. MIKKEL AAGAARD broke in short handed and beat WILLIAMS top shelf to cut the lead to 3-2. Shots on goal at the end of the first were 18-13 in favour of the Otters.
The Otters continued their relentless attack throughout the second period, pushing their lead even further. The Otters added four goals from NICK BETZ with his second of the game, DYLAN STROME (2) and TAYLOR RADDYSH. CHAD HEFFERNAN dropped the gloves with JAKE MARCHMENT to try to help give his team some momentum. Shots on goal at the end of the period were 37-17 in favour of the Otters.
The Wolves held the Otters to one goal in the third period as VANYA LODNIA beat TROY TIMPANO to make it 8-2, marking the final goal of the game. Tempers on the ice flared throughout the period, as Danny Desrochers, Chad Heffernan, Michael Pezzetta and Cole Mayo for the Wolves and Alex Dibrincat, Travis Dermott and Jakob Mayenschein for the Otters all received game misconducts for a scuffle in front of the Wolves’ bench halfway to the final horn. Final shots on goal were 52-29 in favour of the Otters.
The Wolves are back in action next Friday January 15th to wrap up their four-game home stand as they host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for game 4 of the Bell Cup Challenge. Game time is 7:00PM and tickets are available at the Sudbury Arena Box, online at www.greatersudbury.ca, or by calling 705-671-3000.
