BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The Sudbury Wolves managed another fairly
successful weekend, gaining four out of a possible six points,
to grab a coveted playoff spot in the eastern Conference.
The Wolves tied the Barrie Colts 2-2 on
Friday night at the Sudbury Arena, lost 4-3 in overtime to the
Belleville Bulls in Belleville Saturday night, and defeated the
Kingston Frontenacs 3-0 in Kingston Sunday afternoon.
The Wolves continued their outstanding play
of late on the road as they've turned the corner after a
horrible start away from the friendly confines of the Sudbury
Arena.
The weekend results leave the Wolves tied for
third spot in the Central Division with the Colts. Both teams
have 73 points, but Sudbury has played one extra game.
The Wolves are also tied for fourth in the
Eastern Conference with Barrie and Ottawa.
The Wolves have now put together two
consecutive successful weekends going into the playoffs. The
Wolves are 3-0-2-1 in their last six games, including three
road victories.
On Friday, Wolves veteran sniper Bobby
Chaumont was honoured before the game for breaking the OHL
record for most consecutive games played. Chaumont obtained the
record last weekend against Sarnia, which was Chaumont's
267th straight game.
Chaumont received a resounding ovation from
the 4,786 people in attendance.
Against the Colts, Sudbury got goals from
Marc Staal, on the power play, and Kevin Baker, while short
handed. Rob Hisey and Hunter Tremblay replied for the Colts.
Tremblay tied the contest with less than seven minutes
remaining in regulation.
Overager Rafal Martynowski missed a glorious
chance to give the Wolves their first overtime win of the
season. The sniper had a clear-cut breakaway from his own blue
line, but Colts goaltender Francois Thuot stood his ground,
forcing Martynowski to deke and shoot high and wide.
Wolves goalie Patrick Ehelechner made 35
saves to help preserve the tie.
On Saturday, the Wolves were clipped by the
Bulls 4-3 in a game the Wolves controlled most of the
way.
Ryan McDonough, on the power play, Chaumont
and Martynowski all scored for the Wolves, who led 2-0 after
two periods of play.
Evan Brophey, Marc Rancourt, Andrew Maksym
and Cody Thornton, with the overtime winner, scored for the
Bulls.
Ehelechner made 22 saves in the loss.
Sunday afternoon, the Wolves bounced back
into the win column by disposing of Kingston 3-0 and virtually
eliminating the Frontenacs from post-season contention.
Jeff Christison, Nick Foligno and Zack
Stortini all scored for the Wolves. The game was tied at 0-0
after 40 minutes before Christison scored a fluke goal from
behind the net.
Kevin Beech got the start for the Wolves, and
stopped all 35 Kingston shots fired his way.
The Wolves will now practice hard for the
rest of the week for their final two games of the regular
season, which includes their final home game of the regular
season this Friday against the Brampton Battalion. Game time at
the Sudbury Arena is 7:30 pm.
The Wolves close out their regular season
with a road game against Mississauga on Sunday.
