Wolves tie stampeding Buffaloes

BY SCOTT HADDOW

The Sudbury Nickel Capital Wolves fought off a rough stampede courtesy of the Calgary Buffaloes and earned a 2-2 draw in their second game at the TELUS Cup.

The game began with plenty of hard hits and a surprising amount of animosity as each club tried to set the tone.

Sudbury actually struck first when Deven Stillar tipped a point shot from Ryan Johnston at 17:07 on the power play in the first period.

Calgary answered right back with a power play goal of their own when Brody Sutter found the net at 18:49.

The second period was all Calgary as they took the play to Sudbury. The Nickel Capital Wolves were called for four penalties in the period compared to one called against Calgary.

Calgary's Adam Thompson ripped a power play goal at 5:26, on a five-on-three, to take a 2-1 lead.

Sudbury struggled to get any flow going in their game as the Buffaloes thwarted their drives over and over again.

Sudbury came out with more zip to their game in the third period and took the play to Calgary.

In the last 10 minutes of the third frame, Sudbury really stepped up and controlled the pace of the game.

It paid off big time when Stefan Herrington made a creative pass into the slot which found the stick of Denis Restoule and into the back of the net to tie the game at 2-2 at the 11:13 mark.

Both teams couldn't solve the goalies and the game ended in the 2-2 draw.

After the game, Sudbury head coach Peter Michelutti Jr. was able to wipe the bullets of sweat off his forehead.

"It took us a long time to get going," the bench boss said. "I'll take the tie right now."

Sudbury had a late chance to bust the game open when PJ Taus broke free with the puck along the boards but then collided with an official ending any potential for a break away.

"Those are things that happen…can't worry about it too much," Michelutti Jr. said.

The players were not pleased with their efforts through the first two periods and know they're capable of much better hockey.

"We came out flat in those periods," captain Mathieu Lecours said. "It cost us…but not the game. The guys decided to play a lot harder in the last 10 minutes. It's just too bad we didn't play that way the whole game."

Calgary head coach James Poole was slightly disappointed his team didn't bury the Nickel Capital Wolves when they had many chances.

"From our side, we failed to capitilize on Sudbury's slow start," Poole said. "In the third period, they took the play to us. I felt we should have got the win."

Sudbury is now 1-0-1 at the TELUS Cup.

"This tie was big…earning three out of four points to start is a good start," Lecours said.


Sudbury faces the Quebec squad - the Blizzard Du Seminaire Saint-Francois - on Wednesday at noon.

"They're a quick, speedy team," Michelutti Jr. said. "If we come out, move our feet and get pucks to the net…we have a chance to win. A win could put (us) in a position for a semi-final playoff berth."

The players are eager to test their mettle against the Quebec club.

"We're excited," Lecours said. "Both teams have a lot of speed so it should be interesting."