Wolves win two straight at home

BY SCOTT HADDOW

It was the weekend the Sudbury Wolves were hoping for.

With many questions leading into their weekend games against Peterborough and Belleville, the top teams in the East Division, Sudbury came up with stern answers.

The Wolves needed timely scoring from key players, solid play from goalie Kevin Beech, and 60-minute efforts.

They got it all as Sudbury thumped the defending OHL champion Peterborough 5-2 on Friday, and nipped Belleville 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.

On Friday, in front of 4,157 screaming fans, Sudbury showed true character by scoring five unanswered goals in the second and third periods to take down the Petes.

Peterborough was leading 2-0 after the first thanks to goals by Branislav Rehus and Devin Welsh.

Kevin Baker and Patrik Lusnak got the Wolves back into the game with goals in second and third period. Marc Staal potted the winner at 4:51 of the third frame. Devin DiDiomete, who had entered the game with only one goal, popped two goals to ice the Petes.

Beech made 19 saves for the win.

"It was a big win," said forward DiDiomete.

On Sunday, the Wolves played a determined game, peppering Bulls' goalie Kevin Lalande with 37 shots.

Matt Dias, who entered the game with just one goal as well on the season, came alive in the game.

Dias scored the first goal and then blasted the game winner at 6:50 of the third period.

Prior to that, the Wolves and Bulls had exchanged goals throughout the first and second periods.

Matt Beleskey and John Hughes scored for Belleville.

Jakub Korinek scored the other goal for Sudbury, and it was his first ever OHL marker.

Beech was strong in net, making 23 saves. He made several late, third period saves from Bulls' shooters to preserve the victory.

With the win, Sudbury evened its record to 6-6-0-1, and now own fourth spot in the Central Division.

"I thought the boys were really dancing all game long," said head coach and GM Mike Foligno. "Matt Dias is back in town and on the scoreboard again, and that was nice to see. Our defence did a tremendous job. Kevin Beech did a great job at the end too, making some timely saves. It was great to everyone come together like that."

The Wolves are back in action on Tuesday night when they host the Kingston Frontenacs. Game time is 7:30 pm.