Posted by Sudbury Northern Life 
The Kal Tire Jr. Wolves dropped a 9-7 decision to the first-place North Bay Skyhawks Wednesday night at the Garson Arena.
The Jr. Wolves trailed 3-1 after one period and 6-3 after two periods.
With the score 8-4 in favour of North Bay, the Junior Wolves stormed back with three goals with just less than two minutes remaining. North Bay ensured the victory with an empty-netter.
Chris Kangas led the way for the Jr. Wolves with five points, including two goals and three assists. Devin Lockeyer had two goals and an assist while Chris Pontes added three assists. Jeff Verreault scored twice for the Jr. Wolves, while Zach McGillis added a single marker.
Jr. Wolves forward Erik Belanger joined rookies Ryan Paul and Mark Zagordo on the injury sidelines for the Jr. Wolves, and did not participate in Wednesday's game. Belanger, Paul and Zagordo are all expected to be out of the Jr. Wolves line-up until Feb. 1.
The Jr. Wolves called-up affiliates Kyle Lekun, Josh Blacksmith and Kyllian Kirkwood from the Sudbury Nickel Capital Major Midget Wolves for Wednesday's game.
The Jr. Wolves will travel to Abitibi on Saturday and North Bay on Sunday to close-out their weekly schedule. The Jr. Wolves are now on the ropes in the Paul Lizotte Esso Fuels Challenge Cup with the North Bay Skyhawks.  
The Skyhawks lead the Challenge Cup 10-4 in points and the Jr. Wolves will need to win all three remaining games with North Bay to salvage a tie.
The Jr. Wolves next home game will be Jan. 21 against the Soo Thunderbirds. Game time is 8 p.m.
