BY SCOTT HADDOW
Just when things couldn't get any bigger
and better for the Sudbury Wolves, in comes six-foot-six,
216-pound defenceman Nick Tuzzolino.
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Despite losing his last four
starts, Kevin Beech has played well, sporting a 2.76
GAA and a .913 save percentage (better than his total
season numbers) in those losses. |
At the trade deadline, Wolves head coach and
GM Mike Foligno continued his process of bulking up in sheer
size and skill by acquiring the rugged defender from the Sarnia
Sting in an attempt to solidify the defence corps for a tough
stretch run and, hopefully, a long run 2006 playoff run.
Tuzzolino cost the Wolves tough-as-nails
defenceman Thomas Sample and a second round 2006 draft pick
(previously acquired from Saginaw).
Foligno expects Tuzzolino to make a
tremendous impact on the club and on the ice.
"Nick is a quality defenceman and has
experience in this league," said Foligno. "He's a big
player and is a physical presence. He also has skill...He's
a heads up player who make good first passes out of the zone.
We feel he's a Top-four defenceman on our team and could
play any role that we have guys like Marc Staal and Jonathan
D'Aversa playing. It was an important move for us, to
strengthen our defence."
Tuzzolino had seven goals, 27 points and 95
penalty minutes in 37 games with the lowly Sting.
The towering blueliner is expected to be in
the line up against the London Knights tonight.
"Everyone in the league was looking for
defencemen," said the bench boss. "We had to give up a good
steady player in Thomas...At the same time, we know what we
have this year and we wanted to make our defence better. Thomas
was well liked and it was tough to trade him."
The Wolves then further bolstered their depth
by picking up forwards Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn and the rights to
Mathis Olimb from Sarnia for a 2007 fourth round draft
pick.
The Wolves also waived import Stefan Blaho,
who was picked up by the Sting.
Lytwyn is also expected to contribute right
away. Olimb is in Norway and isn't expected to join the
Wolves right away.
"Mark has a lot more to offer offensively
than what his numbers show (five goals and 15 points in 39
games)," said Foligno. "He has a big shot. We want him to give
us some more offence. It's a great opportunity for him to
show his talents.
He gives us depth and a bigger player
(five-foot-10 and 190-pounds). He's a fast skater and we
don't have to worry about a weak spot with him. Our intent
was to make us stronger in a few different areas that
compliments our depth."
Foligno believes the Wolves are now
positioned to gun for a title.
"We've strengthened our club and raised
the awareness level of all the existing players that we want to
be a contender. We match up well against any team in the
league. It's not so much the size, but the type of players
we have brought in.
We were fortunate they had size, but they
still have to skate, handle the puck and have the will to pay
the price. That's the players we wanted. Our fans want to
see us win...And cheer us on to the Memorial Cup. With the
players we've added recently, we feel we can give the fans
that opportunity."
The Wolves play the powerful London Knights
tonight at the Sudbury Arena. Game time is 7:30 pm. The Knights
are the second best team in the OHL.
"We will be better (than last week's poor
performance against Plymouth, a 5-1 loss)," said Foligno.
"London has great players down low. We can't give them any
space or time to get their shots away or make passes. Our
defence has to play a smart, tight-checking game down low for
success. We also have to capitalize on our chances too."
The Wolves will also need continued solid
goaltending from number one man Kevin Beech, who has lost his
last four starts despite putting up a sharp 2.76
goals-against-average and a respectable .913 save
percentage.
