Any doubts as to whether or not the Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves could compete at the Rogers 2008 AAA Midget Ontario Hockey championship have been smashed to pieces after the team went 2-0 to start the tournament in Ottawa.
Sudbury defeated the London Junior Knights 5-2 on Monday and followed that win up with a 5-2 victory over the Vaughn Kings on Tuesday to go 2-0.
On Monday, the team got two goals from forward Denis Restoule and singles from Deven Stillar and Justin Lockeyer to earn the 4-2 win over London. Goalie Christopher McDougall was credited with the win.
On Tuesday, Sudbury got two goals, including the game winner, from forward Craig Laliberte and singles from PJ Taus, Lenny Talarico and Restoule to gain the victory over Vaughn. Goalie Landon Noel earned the win for Sudbury.
Needless to say, the red hot start had the coaching staff pleased.
"It's always good to get off to a strong start in a tournament like this," head coach Peter Michelutti Jr. said in a telephone interview. "It gives everyone more confidence for the rest of the week. If we go the opposite way and start off 0-2, then we have to fight for our lives and everything becomes more stressful. We also play two games on Wednesday, so it's nice to have two wins and get some breathing room."
Sudbury takes on the Ottawa Valley Titans at 10:15 am, and then play the Ajax-Pickering Raiders at 7:15 pm today.
The team has adjusted nicely to the big tournament and all the surrounding hype. Sudbury is getting major contributions from every player on the team, which has paid immediate dividends.
"The guys are really focused," Michelutti Jr. said. "They're sacrificing anything and everything for the team. Nobody cares about ice time...they only care about earning a win. After Wednesday, we will have a better perspective for the rest of the week as to where we stand."
The Nickel Capital Wolves played their home games all season at Countryside Arena which features an Olympic-sized ice surface. They've been blessed with numerous games on their schedule at the Bell Sensplex which features an international ice surface and it has been a big plus for Sudbury.
"It's definitely a factor for us right now," Michelutti Jr. said. "It's even bigger than the ice surface at Countryside Arena and it has helped us. When we are using our speed and moving the puck, it's difficult on opposing teams. We have to keep using it as our advantage."
The Nickel Capital Wolves have enjoyed solid play from their 17-year-old veterans, but younger players have made their presence felt as well early on in the event.
"I'll tell you right now, we give credit to our 17-year-old veterans...but our 15-year-olds have really stepped up to play," Michelutti Jr. said. "Our two 15-year-old goalies - McDougall and Noel - have been especially great. Our young forwards such as Alex Cooper and Justin Lockeyer have played their two best games of the year. Our 15-year-old players have made a difference for us."
Despite the fast start, Sudbury is keeping everything real and not getting ahead of themselves.
"We keep saying being 2-0 doesn't mean anything...it's a long week with a lot of games still to be played," Michelutti Jr. said. "Our goal is to make it to a semi-final and peak at the right time...anything can happen after that."
Keep checking NorthernLife.ca for more updates as the Nickel Capital Wolves gun for provincial glory in the nation's capital.
