The Canada/Russia Super Series loves Sudbury and once again team Russia and team OHL didn’t disappoint at the Sudbury Community Arena.
It’s the fourth time the Super Series has been held in Sudbury, the most of any city.
Team OHL picked up a big 4-2 win to even up the series and a packed arena went home happy.
Sudbury Wolves star Dmitry Sokolov got in on the scoring action, netting the second goal for the Russians.
It was his second point in the super series as he picked up an assist on Thursday in Owen Sound.
“Dmitry was the Russian star,” Wolves Head Coach Cory Stillman said after the game. “He scored a goal and he came and he played hard and he battled. I think he’s learning how to play the right way and it showed tonight that he can keep pace, he can play, he can back check, hit and score and that’s what we need him to do.”
Stillman was behind the OHL bench as an assistant coach. Macauley Carson was on his bench,too, though he was used sporadically during the game after just returning from injury.
“I wasn’t really concerned about ice time, it was just a cool experience,” said Carson.
“It’s a good experience for him and maybe he gets another one next year when hopefully he’s healthy,” said Stillman.
Carson spoke about what he will take from the experience.
“It was good, it was quick, you’ve got to be moving your feet before you get the puck,” he said. “You’ve got to be thinking where the next pass is going to be, so once you kind of get it settled you can’t just take the puck like a hot potato. You’ve got to relax with it, take your time and actually make a play.”
“I hope after playing this game, I can kind of take that pace of the game and bring it back to the games coming up here, and the rest of the season,” said Carson.
Carson did throw a couple of big hits, but none of them went Sokolov’s way. You leave your friendships on the bench when you step on this ice, Stillman said.
“When you play those games you play to win. It could be your best friend and you know what? You wear different jerseys and you’re competing to win,” said Stillman.
And while Carson didn’t have to see a whole lot of Sokolov on the ice last night, his wallet will be thanking the Russian forward. The two had a friendly bet on the game.
“I’m not sure if our shifts matched up too much tonight … good for him he scored, but we won. I’ll take the 50 bucks from him,” said Carson.
The Russians held the lead 2-1 for awhile before Team OHL stormed back with three unanswered that wowed the packed arena.
“It was fun to see when you get the best guys out of Ontario coming to play and the Russians,” Stillman said. “It was high speed and you could see the quality of players that are in our league.”
All went home happy except maybe the Russians, who move on to the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League where the series will be decided.
Both Carson and Stillman said they will be watching.
Nick Liard covers the Sudbury Wolves for Sudbury.com. He is the news director at 92.7 Rock and Kiss 105.3, and the Wolves; on-air commentator for Eastlink.
