Posted by Sudbury Northern Life
The Kal Tire Jr. Wolves closed out their regular season schedule with a convincing 6-1 victory over the Manitoulin Islanders Wednesday night in Garson.
Chris Kangas was dominant and recorded a four-point night, including a hat-trick. Zach McGillis added three assists while Erik Belanger, Cheyenne King-Wakegijig and Dustin Ryan scored singles.
Belanger was honoured by the team prior to the game for being named Rookie Of The Year. The 17-year-old Hanmer native has enjoyed an outstanding rookie campaign and finished with 29 goals and 65 points in 46 games.
Kangas, 19, finished second in league scoring with 39 goals and 77 points. Jeff Verreault, 18, finished sixth in league scoring with 69 points in 47 games.
Joey Delwo made 37 saves for the victory Wednesday night for the Wolves. Delwo, 19, was the NOJHL Play-off MVP last season and defeated Abitibi in four straight games in the NOJHL Finals.
The third-place Jr. Wolves will now prepare for Game #1 of the NOJHL Play-Offs when they travel to Iroquois Falls on Saturday to play the second-place Eskimos in a best of seven quarter-final.
The Jr. Wolves will play Game #2 in the series at home on Wednesday, March 11 at 8 p.m. at the Garson Arena. Wednesday's game is sponsored by Tim Hortons and all fans will receive free cheer sticks as they enter the Garson Arena.
Other notes: Jr. Wolves goaltender Nick McMullen, 17, has been called up by the Sudbury Wolves for their three-game road trip to Kingston, Belleville and Ottawa this weekend. McMullen will fill in for injured goaltender Andrew Loverock. McMullen will play a back-up role for Wolves' goaltender Alain Valiquette.
The Jr. Wolves have subsequently called-up affiliate goalie Alexander Laino from the Nickel City Sons 'AAA' midget team.
The Sons were recently eliminated from play-off contention by the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves. Laino, 16, is a big goaltender that played extremely well for the Sons this season. Laino will join the Jr. Wolves on Saturday in Abitibi.
