Hey sports fans, it's time for a little recap of the incredible journey of the Sudbury Wolves.
I have to tip my hat to the local juniors. They were a force
against the Mississauga IceDogs in the first round of their
Eastern Conference quarter-final series. Sudbury won the series
in five games.
The Wolves won the final three games in convincing fashion.
I would have to say Sudbury played their best hockey of the
season in their two home games, last Tuesday and Thursday.
I hadn't seen such a total team effort in a long time, and it
was incredible to watch it unfold.
I have to count myself as one of the many thousands who were
left in awe last week during Game 4. Sudbury won 6-3, but it
was defenceman Marc Staal's end-to-end rush goal that gave me
goosebumps.
With the score knotted at 1-1 early in the second period, Staal
scooped up a loose puck behind his net and proceeded to unload
one of the best single rushes ever at the Sudbury Arena.
Staal weaved his way through a stunned IceDogs team before
firing a shot into the net. Staal even left a few of his own
teammates in awe as well.
Nick Foligno called the goal unreal. Staal downplayed the goal,
saying he was lucky, but later stated it was a pretty good
play.
Staal showed his true potential in that one play. He has all
the power and grace of a rushing, offensive defenceman. We have
all come to know Staal by his defence, but his offensive game
isn't too shabby either.
Staal has shown he's a true leader in this series. He was
always making a big or small play that impacted the outcome in
some fashion. Staal's thunderous body check on IceDogs' leader
Jordan Owens in Game 3 essentially deflated Mississauga's hopes
and helped Sudbury to a 3-1 victory.
The whole team rallied around their captain in this series.
Time and time again, players and the coaching staff made
remarks about how Staal's elevated game and sheer presence
propelled the squad.
Staal finished the series with two goals, five points and a +9
rating, which was the best mark in the OHL playoffs as of
Monday, April 2.
This is Staal's last hurrah, and it looks like his intent on
going out with a bang.
The Wolves will need Staal to be even better against Barrie in
the next round.
Staal wasn't the only player who made me stand up and notice.
I have to give credit to rugged winger Andrew Self. The big
winger provided grit and goals in the first round.
Entering the playoffs, Self had just three goals and five
points in his final 10 games.
After five games with Mississauga, Self had four goals, seven
points and a +4 rating. Self also scored the game-winning goals
in Games 1 and 4.
After Game 4, the media swarmed a stunned and wide-eyed Self.
As he answered questions about the series, I couldn't help but
notice he was almost in shock about the attention he was
receiving. It was clear, Self wasn't used to the spotlight, but
he did a great job handling all the hype.
The Wolves big guns - Nick Foligno and Justin Donati - also
stepped up to the forefront.
Both players tallied four goals and nine points.
They're counted on for offence, and they delivered with
authority. Those two will also have to be even better against
Barrie.
The Wolves defence corps and goaltending also played strong
games.
Starter Sebastian Dahm was sound, forging a 3.01
goals-against-average and a sizzling .916 save percentage.
Yes, the Wolves played committed defence, but Dahm was able to
keep the IceDogs' snipers, and there's a lot of them, off the
score sheet for the most part and that played a role in the
downfall of Mississauga.
The Wolves will start their Eastern Conference semifinal series
against Barrie this upcoming weekend on the road.
Read Northern Life's weekend edition for more on that
series.
Remember to keep checking NorthernLife.ca for more coverage of
the Wolves as they continue their march towards OHL glory. Fans
will find stories and action-packed game photos of all their
favourite Wolves players.
