BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
The Sudbury Wolves were looking for a defining moment in their season against the Peterborough Petes and got it with a come-from-behind 6-3 victory on Friday night.
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The Wolves received word that former coach Bert Templeton died earlier in the day. The team played with heart and determination in the third period to overcome a one-goal deficit to score four goals for the big win over their conference rival.
There was no shortage of heroics and they were from the most unlikely of sources.
Rookie goalie Kevin Beech stepped between the pipes for his second career OHL start.
Beech was nothing less than spectacular making 39 saves for his first career win.
Another rookie, Sean Grendus snapped a goal scoring drought by recording the game winning goal early in the third period.
Head coach and general manager Mike Foligno had asked his troops before the game to draw a line between the start of the season and the grace period to come together as a team and become better. He was thrilled with the way they responded.
"We wanted to turn a page today and start fresh," said Foligno. "The guys played well."
Foligno was impressed with Beech's play.
"He did a remarkable job for us," said Foligno. "I think the guys fed off that."
Foligno hopes the game will give his players the confidence boost they need.
"It was a good win and especially to score a few more than two or three goals," said Foligno. "I think now our team realizes they can do it. Now it's a matter of repeating it and doing it wherever we play."
Templeton's passing wasn't far from people's minds.
"It was difficult obviously anytime you lose someone that's been part of this organization and has done a good job with this organization," said Foligno. "The whole organization feels the loss."
It didn't take long for the Wolves to light the lamp.
Just 1:27 into the first period, Rafal Martynowski stripped the Petes' defenceman Martin Lucka of the puck, skated in on Pete's goalie Jeff MacDougald, deked him out and slipped the puck past him.
Moments later Alex Eaton tipped a shot by Ryan Hastings to make it 2-0 at 7:12.
The Petes didn't roll over and die though and responded on the power play. Jordan Morrison blasted the puck past Beech from the doorstep to make it 2-1 at 12:25.
The second period belonged to the Petes.
Just 56 seconds in Daniel Ryder tied the game at two, when he wired the puck past Beech from the high slot.
Minutes later, the Petes struck again on the power play when Liam Reddox scored to make it 3-2 for the Petes at 15:51.
The Wolves came out firing in the third period.
Just 44 seconds in, Bobby Chaumont picked up a loose puck and slammed it by MacDougald to tie the game.
Then Grendus tipped home a Luke Dubbin pass to put the Wolves up 4-3 at 6:26.
Sean Stefanski buried an insurance goal at 19:08 and Adam McQuaid scored into an empty net at 19:47 to round out the scoring.
The big win had the boys pumped after the game.
Beech was in awe after picking up his first win.
"I can't describe the feeling," said Beech. "It's great. The guys came up big for me. I know I can play at this level."
Zach Stortini liked to see the team come back to win.
"We battled back from some adversity," said Stortini. "The guys did a great job to come back."
Grendus was happy to help out with the game winning goal.
"When it went in I was so grateful," said Grendus. "Moral is at an all time high now."
The Wolves next home game is Friday, Dec. 12 against the Owen Sound Attack. Game time is 7:30 pm.
