Battle Report
There are no easy games down the stretch for the Sudbury
Wolves.
As the playoffs approach and teams get that hunger for glory,
games become tighter and harder to win.
Tonight, the Wolves face off against Plymouth. Game time at the
Sudbury Arena is 7:30 pm. On Sunday, they face Peterborough at
2 pm.
The Wolves' coaching staff is demanding their players adopt a
playoff like attitude over the final month of action.
"The Whalers will be a tough game, but we have to be ready to
play these tough games," said head coach and GM Mike Foligno.
"We need our best hockey right now. We have to look at every
game as a playoff game. We need guys to do whatever it takes to
win. They need to push back the threshold and go all out. They
need to step up each and every game and be stand outs...our
players need a playoff mentality."
Sudbury needs some fine tuning on their specialty teams as
well. The power play is clicking at 19.8 percent, while the
penalty kill is stuck at 78 percent.
"Our power play needs to get going," said the bench boss.
"Excuses don't matter. They need to work through it and exploit
our opponents. The killer instinct is key. Sometimes, we've had
teams down by two goals and got a power play and we don't go
for the kill. We can't relax. It's a time to show poise and
execution and score to put the other team way down and out of
the game."
Foligno is looking for contributions from everyone, not just
from one or two players.
"Someone on our top three lines has to be on the scoreboard
every game," said Foligno. "Our defence could also contribute
more offensively...they're a skilled bunch. Guys like Nick
Foligno, Justin Donati, Kevin Baker, Jonathan D'Aversa and Marc
Staal need to lead by example every night. We also need extra
points from guys like Matt Dias, Akim Aliu and Patrik Lusnak.
When they get points, it lifts the team. We need everyone to
chip in with something positive...that's what it's all
about."
Fans will get a chance to meet the entire team at the New
Sudbury Centre from 2 to 4 pm tomorrow (Saturday).
Fans can exchange a ticket stub for a chance to win an
autographed Wolves' third jersey. The first 500 fans will
receive a free set of Wolves hockey cards.
"We have such great support in this community and we're
thankful," said Foligno.
Enemy Lines
The Plymouth Whalers are a prime example of how a team should
play during the regular season.
The squad got off to a slow start, which included an ugly
five-game losing streak at the end of October and early
November. As the season wore on, the team got better. In fact,
they got a lot better, and are now one of the top teams in the
league.
The Whalers have been dominating the OHL since December, in
which they have peeled off a record of 24-5 in the last three
months.
"We had a slow start...we had new kids in the line up playing
big roles," said head coach and president Michael Vellucci.
"We've really picked up our play since December and solidified
key areas. Our specialty teams have been strong, especially our
penalty kill. It has carried us through many games."
At last year's OHL Draft, Plymouth harpooned local talent Vern
Cooper with the 13th pick overall.
Cooper has played 43 games, scoring six goals and 10 points,
along with a plus 7 rating.
"Vern has been outstanding," said Vellucci. "He hasn't gotten
the ice time he really deserves because of our depth up front.
He fits in nicely and he will be an expectational OHL player.
The sky's the limit for him. He speed really stands out. He
glides faster than anyone on our team can skate...it's true.
He's a dynamic force and the older guys love playing with
him...that says a lot about this kid."
Plymouth has been blessed with two impact goalies - Michal
Neuvirth and Jeremy Smith - this season. Despite both being
first-year players, they have been nothing short of remarkable.
Both are in the top-five for goalie stats. Neuvirth has a
record of 21-7-1-1 and a 2.42 goals-against-average and a .929
save percentage, while Smith has a 17-6-0-1 record with a 2.49
GAA and a .923 save percentage.
"They give our players confidence...a lot of confidence," said
Vellucci. "The players know if they make a mistake, they will
be there to bail them out. Our guys love playing for them.
There's no problems with playing time...they both understand
the situation. They get along great, and they've been a big
reason for our success."
At the deadline, the Whalers made a few moves, but none more
significant than landing Daniel Ryder from the Peterborough
Petes.
In his first 14 games, Ryder had 14 points.
"Daniel gives us more depth up front and scoring ability," said
the bench boss. "He was the MVP of the playoffs last season.
The games we've lost, most have been by one or two goals, and
Daniel can make the difference for us."
