BY SCOTT HADDOW
The Sudbury Wolves are letting the good times
roll.
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Cutline: Ben Pouliot is in top
form, having scored seven goals and 10 points in his
last six games. |
With four straight wins, confidence is riding
tall in the saddle and the Wolves are looking to keep it up
against the Barrie Colts tonight at the Sudbury Arena. Game
time is 7:30 pm.
Wolves head coach and GM Mike Foligno wants
to maintain the course.
"We have to keep playing the way we have been
playing," said Foligno. "We've been slowly getting stingier
defensively every game and that will be the real key for us
against Barrie. We know we will get our chances offensively and
we have to capitalize on them. As we move towards the playoffs,
we want to be a tougher team defensively. Barrie gets a lot of
chances with the rush and win a lot of games with their
offence. We can be a lot better defensively and need to be to
beat Barrie."
The Colts, who will be missing two of their
top three centres (Bryan Little, suspended and Matthew Bragg,
injured), will get no pity from Sudbury.
"We would play Barrie the same way regardless
if those guys were in the line up or out of it," said Foligno.
"Obviously, Little is a big part of their team and having him
out is a bonus for us. We will play very hard, disciplined and
physical."
With the recent success, the Wolves are
feeling fine.
"Guys are accepting their roles and really
work hard for each other," said Foligno. "There's a real
sense of pride being developed. We know we have a good chance
to win every game and it's something that continues to
grow. Winning breeds winning, so that's what we have to
keep doing."
The Wolves have had their offence going full
force, especially in the last six games. Two players who have
really stood out in that span have been Ben Pouliot and Kevin
Baker.
Pouliot, looking like a man possessed, has
seven goals and 10 points in his last six games. Baker, playing
the best hockey of his OHL career right now, has six goals and
10 points in those six games.
Incidentally, Sudbury is 4-2 during the
span.
"They look for each other out there and they
both have a lot of speed which they use to their advantage,"
said Foligno. "They can really create great scoring chances and
have a good feel for each other."
Pouliot and Baker aren't the only ones
stepping it. From top to bottom, all players have been chipping
in somehow, someway.
"Matt Dias is rolling...Akim Aliu is really
starting to get going," said Foligno. "Devin DiDiomete is back
on track...Ryan Donally and Gary Friesen are contributing. The
defence is playing well too and paying the price down low.
We're getting solid games from a lot of people."
Foligno is thrilled to be working with such a
deep bench.
"We tried to shore up a couple of areas and
get depth," said the bench boss. "We helped our experience,
skill and size level. Guys feel and see that we're built to
win. It's great feeling and the guys take pride in
it."
