Wolves Lose Game #1 of Bell Challenge Cup
The Sudbury Wolves were just three minutes away from forcing overtime in the Soo on Wednesday night before the Greyhounds’ star defenceman, DARNELL NURSE scored to give the Hounds a 2-1 lead. Nurse had a goal and two assists including an assist on the Greyhounds empty net goal to give the home side a 3-1 victory over the visiting Wolves. The Greyhounds also drew first blood in reclaiming the BELL CHALLENGE CUP that the Wolves won last season. The BELL Cup will be awarded to the northern team with the best record in the six-game regular season series between the two northern rivals.
The game featured a goaltenders dual for most of the game as the Soo’s MATT MURRAY stopped 37 of 38 shots that he faced to back-stop the Greyhounds to the victory and provide the Thunder Bay native with 1st star honours. Wolves’ overage goaltender JOEL VIENNEAU had another strong performance in goal blocking 35 of 37 shots that he faced. The Wolves’ goaltender was awarded with the game’s 2nd star award.
Shots on goal ended at 38-38, but the Greyhounds enjoyed 8 power plays to the Wolves two. That provided the Hounds with an extra 12 minutes in man advantage opportunity. The Wolves finished the game going 1 for 2 on the power play while the Hounds were 1 for 8 with the man advantage. The Wolves penalty-killing units put forth a solid effort and gave the Wolves a chance to stay in the contest.
The Wolves and Hounds played to a scoreless first period with the Wolves out-shooting the Hounds 10-7. The Hounds scored early in the second period while on the power play on a goal by MICHAEL SCHUMACHER. The Swedish import forward picked the top corner on Vienneau from the slot area to give the Hounds a 1-0 lead. The Wolves didn’t take long to tie the contest as German import forward DOMINIK KAHUN scored on a Sudbury power play opportunity. The goal was assisted by fellow import DOMINIK KUBALIK and MACKENZIE BRAID. The goal was scored at the 1:40 mark of the second period, just 18 seconds after the Greyhounds scored.
That was all of the scoring to be had until Nurse’s game winner due in large part to the play of both goaltenders. Wolves’ forwards BRODY SILK and JOSH LEIVO were stymied by the Greyhounds’ goaltender. Other Wolves’ forwards also had good scoring opportunities but were unable to beat the game’s first star – Matt Murray.
The trip to the Soo ended a difficult 11 game schedule to open the 2012-13 OHL season with the Wolves playing 8 games on the road and three games on home ice. The Wolves’ schedule now becomes a little friendlier as the Wolves will play three consecutive games on home ice beginning this Friday at 7:35 when they host the BELLEVILLE BULLS. On Sunday, the Wolves will host the defending OHL Champion LONDON KNIGHTS. Game time is 2:05 pm. Tickets for both of these games are now on sale at the Sudbury Arena ticket office or by calling (705) 671-3000 to order seats by credit card.
