The Sudbury Wolves hosted the high-flying London Nights Friday, who currently sit second in the league with 63 points.
The pack gave it their all, outshooting the Knights 36-30 and keeping the score within one goal throughout the entire game, but eventually fell to a 5-3 final. Wolves goal scorers were Adam Ruzicka with two points and Drake Pilon who delivered the third. Ruzicka was named third star of the game, while David Levin claimed second for his two assists.
The Wolves broke onto the ice in a frenzy, outshooting the Knights 20-11 in the opening frame. Edmonton Oilers prospect Evan Bouchard, opened the game at 8:37 when a scramble in front of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen resulted in a tricky goal for London.
Ruzicka was quick to even the scoreboard, sliding one low on the glove side past Knights' Joseph Raaymakers after a long pass from Levin. Liam Foudy reclaimed London's lead, hammering the puck off the back bar past Luukkonen during a three-on-one to end the period 2-1.
It seems the Knights had found their rhythm, when just over three minutes into the second period, Alex Regula extended the team's lead to 3-1. The Wolves were not about to take defeat lying down, Ruzicka and Pilon each delivered clean shots past Raaymakers to tie the game at three. By the end of the second period, the Knights had secured their lead with a redirected shot by Kevin Hancock past Luukkonen.
Eager to maintain their advantage, London applied solid pressure in the third, eliminating any possibility for the pack to tie up the game. In a last ditch effort, Sudbury pulled Luukkonen to get an extra man, leaving the net open for Hancock to deliver the final goal for London and end the match 5-3.
The Wolves welcome Central Division rivals the Soo Greyhounds at 3:05 p.m. this afternoon, for Game three of the Bell Challenge Cup series. Tickets are on-sale now at the Sudbury Arena Box Office and online at greatersudbury.ca/tickets.
@Keira_JFerguson
