WOLVES WIN IN OT
The Sudbury Wolves travelled to Barrie on Thursday night to open a Home & Home series with division rivals, the Barrie Colts. The Pack found themselves in a hole early on but persevered and headed home with a 4 – 3 overtime win.
After two preseason games, this was the first regular season contest between the Wolves and Colts. With both teams in definite need of some momentum, the Barrie Colts came out the gate very strong – opening up a 2 – 0 lead just 1:03 into the game. Wolves Head Coach, Trent Cull, called a timeout to settle his charges and it proved to be a good call as the Pack came from behind to tie the game 2 – 2 by the first intermission. The Wolves cut the lead in half at the 11:02 mark with a goal by MIKE LOMAS, on nice pass from MARCUS FOLIGNO and set up from BEN CHIAROT. Just over three minutes later, CHARLIE DODERO netted the tying goal, unassisted.
The Wolves continued to ride their momentum swing into the second period, where they outshot the Colts 15 – 8, but were slightly stone-walled by Barrie netminder PETER DI SALVO. The Pack eventually broke up the tie mid-way through the frame on a power play goal from LOMAS (his second of the night) and assisted by KRISTOFF KONTOS and FOLIGNO.
The Barrie Colts responded early in the third period with a powerplay marker of their own from Mark Scheifele. The Wolves were unable to counter so the game went into overtime. Once into the overtime period, it took 0:39 seconds for JOSH MCFADDEN to net the winner for the Wolves earning that all important extra point and the win.
Despite a shaky start, netminder ALAIN VALIQUETTE rebounded nicely making 28 saves, including a stop on the penalty shot awarded to former Wolves prospect Stephen Beyers in the final minute of the second period.
Wolves forwards MIKE LOMAS and JOSH MCFADDEN were named the game`s First and Second stars respectively.
The back end of this Home & Home series will head to the Sudbury Arena on Friday night as the Wolves will look to build off the win in Barrie. The game is proudly sponsored by BELL and will start at 7:35pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Arena Box Office at (705) 671-3000 or online here.
