NOJHL Finals - Wolves blast Skyhawks

The North Bay Skyhawks were hoping to bounce back after Sunday's 5-1 defeat on home ice in game two of the best-of-seven NOJHL finals.

The Wolves stormed out of the gate scoring four times in teh first period en route to a 6-2 victory. The Jr. Wolves now take a 2-1 series lead by winning game three of the series played Wednesday night at the Sudbury Arena.

Austin Rugal and Dustin McCrank scored for the Skyhawks in the loss.

Michael Lalande, who took the loss, was pulled from the Skyhawks net after the first period as he allowed four goals on only nine shots in the opening 20 minutes. He was replaced by Dominic Leveille who stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced in the final two periods of action.

The Wolves were led offensively by six different scorers including Nick Heins, Brodie Wilson, Jesse Graham, Jordan Prevost, Jordan Cheechoo and Brian McGarry.

“We didn’t play our game,” said Skyhawks head coach Kevin Kerr as his team has now lost two straight for the first time in the playoffs this season.

“We didn’t finish our checks and didn’t play the way do when we are successful.”

The Wolves took their 6-2 lead into the third period and while there were no goals on the scoreboard, the scoresheet ended up being quite full in the final period as a number of fights broke out on the ice. Kerr felt his players were victimized and fed up with a number of cheap shots given out by their bitter Sudbury rivals.

“In the first two periods our guys were getting frustrated,” said Kerr.

“There’s no love lost between these two teams and it’s an emotional series. We stuck together as a team and that’s what we need to do,” said Kerr as his club had to kill off four five on three penalties in the final period.

Kerr is unsure if any of his players will face suspensions but he hopes his team can build on that solid play in the final period as they look to even the series up at 2-2 on Friday night back home at Memorial Gardens.

Playoff Ticket Update

Due to the game being played on Good Friday, the box office at Memorial Gardens will open at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon.