Sudbury Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno is stressing a defence first concept to his players to start the New Year.
This latest strategy will be used tonight as the Wolves
square off against one of their most notorious rivals, the
Barrie Colts. Game time at the Sudbury Arena is 7:30 pm.
Before Christmas, the Wolves were on a roll, picking up three
straight wins but the streak ended after the holidays when
Sudbury dropped three games in a row.
In the three wins, the Wolves allowed just five goals against,
while scoring 13. In the three losses, Sudbury allowed a
whopping 16 goals against and scored just six goals for.
"Before Christmas, everyone was on board...and it got away on
us," said Foligno.
"We've allowed 16 goals against in the last three
games...and it's just unacceptable. We have to get back to
basics and square one. The way we're looking for goals is
by cheating on our defensive play. We can't continue to do
that...and expect to win hockey games."
The Wolves have spent a lot of time getting reacquainted with
the defensive aspect of the game this week. Foligno wanted to
hammer home the importance and benefits of strong defensive
play into the player's heads.
"All our concentration was on playing solid defence," said the
bench boss. "The Barrie game is going to be a good test. Solid
defence was how we won three games in a row before Christmas.
It will also allow us to get back in the win column and be
successful. We need solid defence from the goalies to the
defence to the forwards. Collectively, everyone has to play
better defence."
Players are walking on eggshells right now as the OHL trade
deadline approaches. This year's deadline is next
Wednesday, Jan. 10, at 3 pm. Any and all trades for the
remainder of the season must be concluded by this time.
"This is the business we are all in," said Foligno. "Whether
it's at this level or the pro level...trading deadlines are
part of the game. All a player can do is take care of their own
performance on the ice and keep playing as hard as they can."
The Wolves have received quality hockey from 2006 first-round
CHL Import Draft pick Patrik Lusnak. The Slovakian winger has
25 points in 38 games and has a +2 rating.
"He's really skating harder and driving the net with the
puck better," said Foligno. "There's more jump to his
stride...and now he's used to the physical aspect of the
OHL and responding well."
