A thrilling playoff run by the Sudbury Wolves
came to an abrupt end Sunday afternoon in the nation's
capital as the Ottawa 67's beat the Wolves 7-4 to win their
best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-final series in six
games.
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The Sudbury Wolves and rookie
defenceman Ryan Crouch were very impressive in beating
the Ottawa 67's 6-2 on home ice Friday night. But
the Wolves weren't nearly as impressive Sunday
afternoon as their season came to an end following a
7-4 defeat to the 67's in the nation's
capital. |
After stealing game one in Sudbury, the
67's won the series by winning all three games played at
the Ottawa Civic Arena and were in complete control in the
deciding game jumping out to a 3-1 first period lead.
By the end of 40 minutes of play, Ottawa had
increased their lead to 6-2 and cruised to what turned out to
be an easy win to clinch the series.
The Wolves forced game six with an impressive
6-2 win on home ice Friday night in a game where they jumped
out to a 4-0 first period lead.
Goaltender Danny Battachio was again very
solid in the Ottawa net, stopping 38 shots. Battachio was
easily the best player in the series for the 67's as he
stopped an average of 43 shots per game.
The Wolves outshot Ottawa in every single
game in the series, but Battachio, who was born and raised in
Sudbury and grew up watching the Wolves, was equal to the task
proving he 's one of the best goaltenders in the OHL.
Mark Mancari, who was a controversial figure
throughout the series, was the offensive star in the deciding
game, scoring three goals, all on clearcut breakaways, and
adding one assist.
Wolves' enforcer Kyle Musselman was
banned from the playoff series and suspended for the remainder
of his OHL career (meaning he can't return as an overage
player next year) for a sucker punch he delivered against
Mancari in game three of the series.
Mancari played the next game and scored a
goal and exploded for the hat-trick in game six to lead the
67's to the Eastern Conference final against the red-hot
Peterborough Petes.
Kevin Baker scored twice for the Wolves,
while Benoit Pouliot and Ryan McDonough added singles.
Despite an outstanding playoff run, the
Wolves only managed to win one road game during the playoffs
and couldn't manage a single win in Ottawa in six tries
during the regular season and playoffs.
Kevin Beech started in net for the Wolves,
but was pulled early in the second period after Ottawa scored
their fourth goal to take a 4-1 lead.
The Wolves long playoff run excited an entire
city as the team averaged more than 5,200 fans during six games
in the post-season.
Every playoff series loss is disappointing,
but the Wolves reached the second round for the first time in
four years with one of the youngest teams in the OHL.
Head coach and GM Mike Foligno will have a
lot to work with next season as 16 players are eligible to
return.
Sunday's loss marked the final game for
Wolves' overagers Bobby Chaumont, Rafal Martynowski and
Patrick Ehelechner.
Captain Zack Stortini also played his last
game unless he returns as an overage player. Defenceman Ryan
Hastings also completed a four-year career with the Wolves, but
is also eligible to return as an overage player.
The entire Wolves defensive corp would remain
intact if Hastings does return next season.
