BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
Despite dropping a 4-3 decision to the
visiting Ottawa 67's, the Sudbury Wolves showed they have a
never-say-die attitude and will be a competitive group for the
season.
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After a crushing 5-1 defeat at the hands of
Erie on Friday night for the season opener, the Wolves returned
on Sunday a much calmer team.
Defenceman Marc Staal had been in the New
York Rangers camp. Upon his return, Wolves head coach and GM
Mike Foligno named Staal team captain.
Facing a talented Ottawa squad that featured
such stars as Sudbury boys Danny Battochio and Julian Talbot,
along with Bryan Bickell, Elgin Reid and Chris Hulit, the
Wolves showed their resolves battling the 67's toe-to-toe
for three periods even after a having a late goal scored
against them and having a goal of their own called back.
With under two minutes to play, Bickell
bulged the twine behind Wolves starter Kevin Beech to make the
game 4-3.
The Wolves fought right back, but had a late
goal of their own called back. Sudbury was able to make the
game interesting on a power play when Staal scored with only 15
seconds left in the game.
With Beech out of the net, the Wolves made
one last push to tie the game, but came up short.
Ottawa was led by defenceman Reid, who ripped
a hat trick.
Nick Foligno and Adam McQuaid also scored for
the Wolves, who are now 0-2 on the season.
Foligno liked the effort put forth by the
locals, but was still bitter over the loss.
Â"The effort was solid,Â" said Foligno. Â"We
didn't get the opportunities to put this one away. We got
called for a penalty late that they capitalized on, and I
thought some of those goals, we could have had. We have to get
a better job done by our goaltending. Kevin's a guy we are
relying on here to be stronger for us. I don't think
he's as happy as he could be with his performance. It was a
real strong work ethic, good team effort and at the same time
it wasn't good enough. We have to make sure we're
playing hockey much better than this so we can come out on the
winning side of the game.Â"
Foligno was on the fence over the team's
specialty units, which scored two power play goals on nine
chances, but also allowed three goals against on 11 chances by
Ottawa.
Â"We have to do a better job,Â" said Foligno.
Â"It's addressing a couple of things technically or just
getting a better performance from a couple of guys...it was a
better effort and the kind of effort we're used to seeing
from our hockey club and at least it gives us something to
build on.Â"
Staal made a major difference for the Wolves,
galvanizing the squad.
Â"He had a major impact,Â" said Foligno. Â"He
just stabilizes that whole defence corps. Everyone just raised
their game. He played a great game. He played like a leading
defenceman. He carried the puck, he was strong defensively, he
back checked...and got involved physically.Â"
Foligno wasn't too pleased with the
actions of Battochio as soon as the game ended, which sparked a
large gathering of angry Wolves players and Ottawa
players.
Â"Battochio did play well. I just didn't
like his ranting at the end of the game,Â" said Foligno. Â"He
was a bit of a hot shot back there, but when you win I guess
you're allowed to do that. We will have to remember that
the next time we play Ottawa.Â"
Battochio made 29 saves, while his
counterpart Beech made 28 saves.
The Wolves players are looking for more
discipline.
Â"We need to stay out of the penalty box,Â"
said Mike Mills. Â"For the most part of that game, we worked
hard and all the lines were going. Five-on-five we can beat
anybody, just penalties are killing us.Â"
Â"Everyone worked hard,Â" said Alex Eaton.
Â"We had a lot of chances on the power play. We missed on a
dozen chances to put the puck in the net more, but it will
come. Hopefully against Barrie (which is the Wolves next game
and takes place this Thursday in Barrie) we can get it
going.Â"
