Home-opener weekend leaves Wolves winless

The Sudbury Wolves kicked-off the 2009-10 campaign with two losses on their home-opener weekend.

On Friday night, the team fell to the Erie Otters 4-3. The Otters dominated the play early in the game, finishing the first period with a 1–0 lead.

The Wolves came out firing in the second frame, tying the game within the first minute with a goal from Peter Hermenegildo, assisted by John McFarland and Eric O’Dell. Less than two minutes later, the Wolves took the lead with a power play marker from McFarland, with assists from O’Dell and Jared Staal. The Otters tied the game up before the mid-way point of the frame.

Early in the third period, the Otters and Wolves traded goals, with Daniel Maggio scoring the tying goal for the Wolves, assisted by O’Dell and Staal. The Otters scored the game-winner at the 16:07 mark of the third period on a power play goal.

Starting in goal for the Wolves was Alain Valiquette, who made 39 saves to earn. The Otters netminder had 22 saves for the win.

Saturday night was more bad news for the team, dropping its second game 3-1 to the Ottawa 67s.

The Wolves grabbed the lead halfway through the first period on a power play goal from Dean Howard, assisted by Maggio and McFarland.

However, the 67s battled back with one goal in the second period, followed by two unanswered goals in the third.

Valiquette took the loss in net, making 28 saves throughout the game. The 67s netminder made 24 saves for the win.