The Sudbury Wolves have become road warriors, but want to also
remain staunch defenders of their home turf.
The Wolves attempt to get back in the win column at home
tonight when they face the Erie Otters. Game time is 7:30
pm.
Sudbury has a record of 9-7-0-1.
They have won five out of eight games on the road, but are only
playing .500 hockey at home, which is usually their strong
point.
For the Wolves, success at home isn't a hard recipe to figure
out.
"We played some good games on the road last weekend and now we
have to bring that same game back home," said head coach and GM
Mike Foligno. "We need the same intensity and energy this
weekend…that's what we're looking for. We have to respond
better, especially in our own house. We had an off night last
Friday…and we don't want to repeat it."
The Wolves are starting to pay the price to score goals. They
have 60 for, which puts them in the top half of the Eastern
Conference.
"Obviously, we have to score to win," said the coach. "The team
has started going to the net more and giving the second effort.
It has helped the offence kick in. We need to play that way
every game."
The Wolves and the Otters are two of the most penalized squads
in the OHL.
A revolving penalty box door always puts a damper on
things.
"Penalties are a concern, especially too many," said the GM.
"The Barrie game is a perfect example…we allowed them too many
opportunities on the power play and it cost us. Our penalty
killing units took it on the chin. That's what happens when you
don't play with discipline."
The Wolves are getting plenty of mileage out of forward Gerome
Giudice. The stocky five-foot-11, 200-pounder has become a
solid player and is making an impact.
"He's worked his way up to get an opportunity on the second
line because he works so hard," said Foligno. "He can be a
force. He's good defensively and can be better. He's gritty and
will do whatever is asked of him. The more confidence he gets
in his defensive game, the more he'll start generating more
offensive opportunities. He's physical and makes life tough for
opponents."
The Wolves will be without the services of defender Adam
McQuaid, as he's serving the second game of a two-game
suspension for his role in an on-ice altercation against
Peterborough last week. He will return Sunday, when the Wolves
host Brampton at 2 pm.
Enemy Line
The Erie Otters should be riding a team ambulance instead of a
team bus.
The team stumbled out of the gate and injuries have ravaged the
squad, sending them in a downward spiral.
Erie is last in the overall standings with a record of
3-11-0-2.
"It's a big rebuilding year," said assistant GM and local boy
Mark Seidel. "On most nights we have 14 rookies in our lineup.
We've had a tough start. We expect the younger players to
learn…and we will be more competitive next season, and then we
expect to compete for a league championship the year
after."
The Otters are playing without their three top centres - Ryan
O'Marra, Sean O'Connor (leading scorer) and Justin Hodgman.
O'Marra has an unspecified injury and is out for another week,
while O'Connor, the Otters' top scorer, is out two months with
a separated shoulder. Hodgman is serving a two-game
suspension.
"It tells you what we're up against on this road trip," said
Seidel.
Despite the gloomy club hanging over the cloud, there is some
sunshine to be excited about.
"We're happy with our young guys and really excited about their
play," said the assistant GM. "There's a learning curve for
these kids to experience. It's been hard to win games, but
they're hanging in there."
One area that has hurt the Otters has been goaltending. Erie
has allowed the most goals against in the OHL (88).
The youth movement in Erie has no shortage of leaders,
including forward Kelly Geoffrey, 2006 first-round pick
defenceman Mitch Gaulton and defender Brian Shaw.
"Kelly is a slight guy but he's been exceptional," said Seidel.
"He plays on the power play and plays a strong game. Mitch
reminds me a lot of Marc Staal when he was a rookie. He plays
in all situations for us…sometimes that can be bad as it can
shake a player's confidence, but he's handled it well and he
plays 23 to 24 minutes a game. Brian has stepped in and keeps
his game simple. He's added some toughness as well."
There's a local tie on the Otters. Winger Luke Gazdic, whose
father, Mike, played for the Wolves from 1973 to 1977 and was
born in Sudbury, scoring 122 points in 201 games. Gazdic is a
six-foot-three, 210-pound menace on the ice as he can score,
hit and fight. In his first 13 games, Gazdic had four goals,
five points and 37 penalty minutes. He has taken on some of the
league's toughest customers and done well.
