Foligno demands all-out effort from his squad

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Sudbury Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno has made no bones about it - he wants an all-out effort against the Plymouth Whalers tonight at the Sudbury Arena. Game time is 7:30 pm.

The Wolves are coming off an uninspired 3-2 loss to lowly Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday night, and another lackluster game will have Foligno boiling over.

He expects his troops to be fired up.

"We have to make sure we compete hard every night," said the bench boss. "That gives us a chance to show our skills and display our work ethic because that's what we are all about. We're not the most skilled team in the league with (Marc Staal and Ben Pouliot) at the World Junior Championships) and we need an all-out effort from everyone. When we have that mentality, we play well. (Wednesday night) was the first time I hadn't seen that in a while and it was disappointing."

Foligno expects a tough game from the Whalers.

"Plymouth is an explosive team and they can score goals," said Foligno. "We have to be solid against them. They are big, strong and can really move the puck well. They have some solid defencemen and good goaltending now. They're going to be a tough to play. They have revamped for a run at the playoffs and we will have our hands full."

The Wolves need the top two lines to generate offence and lead the team.

"The Nick Foligno and Kevin Baker lines need to be as good or better than the opponents for success," said Foligno. "We need our top two lines scoring every night for us to have a good chance to win games. We still need solid defensive play and good goaltending. The defensive part of our game has been a strength of our club and we can't let that get away from us."

The second half of the season could breathe new life into players such as defender Adam McQuaid, who was a horrible - 20 in the first half, after posting a team-high +31 rating last season.

"He just has to get to the pucks quicker and move the puck faster," said Foligno about McQuaid. "He knows what to do defensively and he's sound positionally. I also think he could still be grittier."

The tremendous experience defenceman Marc Staal and sniper Ben Pouliot have received at the 2006 WJC with Team Canada can only help the Wolves down the stretch.

"Any time you play at a higher level, it's a great learning experience," said Foligno. "Your with a team that's moving the puck at a higher tempo and you're thinking at a higher level...Those players will be better having gone through it. It will rub off on the other players in the dressing room. They will have leadership skills from it that you just can't replace."

Staal and Pouliot are not expected to be in the lineup tonight.

The weekend will be extra busy for Foligno as it's the last few days before the trade deadline. If there's any moves, Sudbury will be buyers and not sellers.

"Hopefully we can make some good decisions that will help our team."

Tonight's contest is Fan Appreciation Night, with $3,000 added to the 50/50 draw. As well, season ticket holders will receive a Wolves' team calendar and there will be cake and prizes for everyone.