The nets put away, the lights go out and the scoreboard rises to the ceiling one last time as the Sudbury Wolves season comes to a close with a 3-1 loss to the Oshawa Generals Sunday night at the Sudbury Arena.
All season long the goal was clear: Get into a round or two of the playoffs and get some valuable experience.
“We banked a lot of valuable minutes with our young guys," said head coach Dave Matsos. "The young guys are the future of this team. I think there’s a lot of good things coming in the future for this club.”
It was a season that saw the Wolves fighting for a playoff spot and only to give the higher seeded Generals a real run, making it an exciting series.
“It was amazing, but a little bit frustrating to be honest because you feel like with any sort of luck and bounces it could have went the other way," said Matsos. "That team is a team that has figured out how to win in the past and we’re starting to figure out how to win. That’s important.”
In a series — and game — where the Wolves had their chances, they just couldn’t solve Jeremy Brodeur, who was perhaps the best player for either team.
“We just didn’t capitalize on the opportunities," said Matsos. "It wasn’t for lack of effort.”
“We gave them a run for their money, we played the right way, a bounce here and there and we’re talking about a series win right now," said Patrick Sanvido. "Sometimes you get the bounces and sometimes you don’t.
"I’m proud of all the guys in that room for battling,”
Tonight's loss only puts an end to Sudbury’s season, but C.J. Yakimowicz, Aiden Jamieson and Sanvido played their last junior hockey game.
Sanvido, who came over from the Windsor Spitfires, fought back tears as he spoke about the emotions.
“I don’t know, it’s over, junior career is over so it sucks, it’s a tough way to go out,” said Sanvido.
Those three players were top of mind for Matsos, and what they did trickled down into the rest of the roster.
“I thoroughly enjoyed coaching this group," he said "I thought we probably had three of the best OA’s in the league character-wise and they worked. They’re pretty emotional down there right now so I don’t really want to dig to hard. In the exit meetings and the one-on-one meetings that we’re going to have it will be a strong message that these guys are built with character, they’re built with heart. For me that’s the kind of team I want.”
The captain as well showed his appreciation.
“You feel sorry for the OA’s that it ended so early," said Capobianco. "Those guys have done everything for us. They’ve come in and been great leaders and great guys. There’s not three better OA’s in the league I think, who are better guys. I just feel really sorry for those guys.”
Sudbury jumped out to an early lead, scoring first in a game for just the second time this round.
Dmitry Sokolov scored a quick one right off a won face off by David Levin.
It was Sokolov’s sixth goal in six games, but his scoring is something the whole league is used too.
“Kid’s got a bright future,“ said Matsos.
The second period saw one of the weirdest plays all season long.
With the Wolves leading 1-0, Renars Krastenbergs crossed the blue line and took a shot that beat Jake McGrath, made the net move, but then was bouncing off the end boards.
The Generals celebrated and the Wolves came down the other way — Ryan Valentini and Sokolov on a two-on-none.
Sokolov scored and the crowd went wild, making it 2-0 home-side.
But the officials went upstairs and it was confirmed that Krastenbergs shot went in and that negated Sokolov’s goal.
“That’s just the breaks and that’s the way the series kind of went for us,” said Matsos.
That goal came with less than a minute to go in the second period and the momentum carried for the Generals.
Kenny Huether scored on a tip-in to make it 2-1 and then the captain Joe Manchurek sealed it with an empty net goal.
Sudbury’s season is over, but young players like Jake McGrath, Macauley Carson, Owen Lalonde and David Levin experienced meaningful hockey.
If it will mean a return trip to the postseason next year we will have to find out.
But for now Wolves hockey is no more at the Sudbury Community Arena.
