When the Sudbury Wolves acquired Kyle Rhodes from the Guelph Storm in June they knew they were getting a solid experienced defenceman.
But it would have been tough to predict that the fourth year man would be on a near point-per-game pace through the first 13 games.
Even his coaching staff couldn’t have predicted that.
“No we didn’t and that’s pure honesty. Obviously he’s made an immediate impact from day one and he’s got a great skill set and everything else he brings to the team in terms of leadership and the ability to eat up those big minutes is first and foremost the most important thing," said Wolves Assistant Coach Jordan Smith.
"The fact that he’s chipped in offensively as much as he has to me and to us is a bonus. He’s playing well and obviously very happy to have him.”
Coming into the season, Rhodes had four goals and 19 assists in 163 games with Guelph.
12 points including six goals is what the Powhatan, Virginia native sits at after 13 games thanks to a goal and two assists on Saturday night against Kingston.
He along with Dmitry Sokolov were a major reason why the Wolves were able to beat the Frontenacs 3-2.
It capped off a six game in nine day stretch where the Wolves went 3-3 with all three wins coming against teams with a winning record and a close contest against Sarnia, the second best team in the nation.
“We were really pleased with the effort Wednesday, I thought last night we deserved a better fate, obviously Sarnia has won ten in a row, they’re a great hockey team but it was very important to come into today with that same effort. If that’s any indication of what we can do I think we’ll be alright, we’re trending in the right direction here and we’re a good hockey team,” said Smith.
“Seeing it come together, it’s been the message the last pretty much three weeks was to stick with the process, trust it, believe in it and the boys most definitely have done that and so happy for them to get the two points."
Sudbury once again got off to a great start, just 3:24 in Rhodes fired a shot from the point that beat goalie Jeremy Helvig.
Tyler Burnie answered for the Frontenacs on the power play as he tipped home a shot from Linus Nyman.
Over a minute later Dmitry Sokolov scored a goal that can only be called a Dmitry Sokolov kind of goal.
He carried the puck from the right side of the net, around back and out front on the left side. He spun around a found a tiny opening over Helvig with a wrist shot top shelf.
Back on the power play in the second period Linus Nyman scored off a beautiful shot in the left slot.
It looked like we were going to head to the third period with the score tied 2-2, but Sokolov said no to that.
Rhodes carried the puck into the zone after the Wolves were putting the pressure on Kingston and got the puck to Sokolov.
The defence gave Sokolov too much room and he fired a wrist shot past Helvig with 22 seconds left.
“I think that was huge for us, we were in our own zone a lot in the second period due to penalties and stuff but I think we started turning the pace there. Late in the second period I think we really took it too them and I think that third goal was huge for us,” said Rhodes.
Sudbury held on in the third period where they were outshot 12-6.
They now get to take a little bit of a breather with an off day Sunday, but one day is all the players will get.
“Enjoy a day off tomorrow for sure then back at it on Monday. We still have a lot of work to do, we’re not satisfied or complacent here, we still need to push these guys and get maximum efforts every day. That’s really what it comes down to, if you can bring that effort every day to practice even when it’s difficult, it translates to the game so that’s the message moving forward,” said Smith.
Marshall Frappier made his fourth appearance of the season picking up his second win as he stopped 31 of 33 shots.
Sudbury moves to 4-7-2-0 with the win while Kingston falls to 5-4-0-2.
The Wolves will pick up another busy stretch next weekend as they play a three game in three day adventure beginning at home Friday to Windsor.
