Owen Robinson had zero points through five OHL games coming into Friday night against the Hamilton Bulldogs ,but the 18-year-old forward from Orangeville exploded for four points including the eventual game winner in a 7-5 Sudbury Wolves win.
“It was nice to get the monkey off the back, obviously put up some points, but more importantly we won the game, so that’s what I’m happy about,” said Robinson.
Robinson comes to the Sudbury Wolves as an eighth-round pick in the 2018 draft after playing in the NOJHL last season with the Blind River Beavers.
He scored his first OHL goal and added three assists.
Robinson was paired with Quinton Byfield and Macauley Carson, a line that combined for 10 points.
“It’s obviously a pretty special line to play with, they’re two special hockey players. We had some chemistry tonight, so I think it’s good, and I look forward to playing with them,” said Robinson.
Carson scored his first two goals of the season while Byfield scored the first and last goal for the Wolves, with one assist.
Jake McGrath made his first start since Sept. 27, and while he gave up five goals, he faced 39 shots.
“It felt good to play. It has obviously been a while, so you know it was good to get back out there and come out with a win,” said McGrath.
Before the first kernels of popcorn could get eaten, the Bulldogs grabbed the lead.
Isaac Nurse beat McGrath just six seconds into the period.
But the Wolves responded, scoring five unanswered goals.
“It took me a little while to get into it, obviously a little rough start, but the team helped me get back into it, so it was good that I can trust the guys and they were there to support me and we got right back in the game,” said McGrath.
Byfield led the charge, coming over the blueline and firing a beautiful wrist shot, cross body, to the right corner of the net, tying the game up.
Carson then scored his first of the season on a shot that needed a second and third look to appreciate.
The puck came out front of the net and Carson went between his legs to put the puck up and over goalie Nick Donofrio.
Blake Murray buried his fourth of the season from the side of the net to make the game 3-1.
Carson then scored his second of the game on a two-on-one with Owen Robinson.
Robinson slid a backhand pass and Carson crashed towards the net tipping in the puck.
Kirill Nizhnikov capped off the scoring with a nifty wrist shot where he spun with the puck in the slot and beat Zachary Roy who took over for Donofrio.
With the exception of a few good looks for the Wolves, the second period was all Bulldogs.
Hamilton outshot the Wolves 18-8 and scored twice on the power play, three times in total to make it a 5-4 game heading into the third period.
Brandon Saigeon scored his seventh of the season while the Bulldogs were on a four-on-three.
Arthur Kaliyev scored his 13th of the season on a one-timer at the doorstep.
Just 27 seconds later, Matthew Strome tipped in a pass from Kaliyev.
“It was just keep things simple, keep playing how we were, obviously better in the first. So make simple plays and make our lives easier,” said Robinson.
Robinson had three assists heading into the third period and kept it going, beating Roy 12 seconds into the final frame.
The score stayed 6-4 for the majority of the third period until less than two minutes to play, with Hamilton’s goalie pulled, MacKenzie Entwistle scored his seventh of the year.
Byfield shut the door with a great individual effort and empty-net goal.
The seven goals was an explosion from the two goals the Wolves scored in two losses last weekend.
“We can’t rely on our goaltending all the time. We have two really good goalies and obviously it's nice to put the puck in the net, and we have to do that to win hockey games,” said Robinson.
Sudbury snapped Hamilton’s three-game win streak while improving to 7-4 on the season.
Blake Murray finished with two points while David Levin and Liam Ross got on the scoresheet with assists.
The Wolves welcome Kingston to town tonight at 7:05 p.m.
