Just one day after breaking free of a losing streak, the Sudbury Wolves lost a close one to the Windsor Spitfires on Jan. 4.
The teams appeared evenly matched in the first period of Saturday's game at Sudbury Arena, but in the end, it would be a strong performance in the second period that would earn Windsor the win.
This was Sudbury's second defeat by Windsor and final faceoff against the team this season.
Sudbury Wolves' Isaak Phillips and teammate Owen Robinson earned the title of second and third star respectively.
Nashville Predators prospect Egor Afanasyev opened up the game for Windsor with his 17th goal of the season at 4:24, with assistance from Ruben Rafkin and Cole Purboo.
Phillips responded on behalf of the pack a little under 10 minutes later with his fifth of the season, alongside teammates Owen Gilhula and Robinson.
Windsor spent six minutes behind glass for cross-checking and tripping in the period, in addition to one call for misconduct toward an official. Sudbury, on the other hand, was issued four minutes of penalty time for tripping and interference.
The teams moved into the second period matched for goals, with shots 10-9 in favour of Sudbury.
Kyle McDonald broke Windsor from this tie 7:31 into the second period with assistance from Thomas Stevenson, but the team wasn't stopping there.
Teammate Luke Boka returned to the net exactly three minutes later to deliver what would be considered Windor's game-winning goal, with help from Curtis Douglas.
Sudbury moved into the final frame down 3-1, with shots on goal an even 9-9 from either side of the ice.
Wolves' Robinson delivered the final goal of the evening two minutes into the third period with help from Shane Bulitka, before Spitfires' goalie Xavier Medina tightened his grip on the posts.
Rising tension on the ice in the third resulted in six minutes in penalty time for Windsor, for cross-checking, hooking and slashing. While Sudbury received four minutes for boarding and hooking.
The game was called at a 3-2 final for Windsor.
Sudbury outshot their visitors 9-5 in the final frame and 28-23 overall.
The Sudbury Wolves are first in the Central Division, second in the Eastern Conference and fourth in the league overall, with 19 wins and 18 losses.
Next up for the Wolves is a road trip to the Colts Centre, for their rematch against the Barrie Colts.
