Wolves just above .500 at quarter-season mark

Some observations as the Wolves hit the quarter point of the Ontario Hockey League season.

They go into action tonight in North Bay with a record of 6-5-3-3 which puts them one point above the .500 mark. They’re third in the Central Division and fifth overall in the Eastern Conference.

Perhaps the team hasn’t lived up to the pre-season hype, but it’s positive the Pack is above .500, considering the changes and adversity in the first five or six weeks of the season.

Don’t forget there is a brand new coaching staff. Head Coach Paul Fixter and Associate Coach David Matsos have brought with them new systems and a new style of play that has taken time for the players to buy into.

That said, there have been signs over the last couple of weeks those messages are getting through.

It’s not an excuse because all teams go through it, but injuries and suspensions have made it difficult for the coaches to ice their complete team at any given time. Brody Silk has been out all season; Dominik Kahun has played just one game; and Danny Desrochers and Nathan Cull have missed time due to suspensions and minor injuries.

Now, Jacob Harris and Captain Kevin Raine are battling injuries.

Despite this, the Wolves are still within striking distance of the top rungs of the Eastern Conference ladder.

Is there still work to be done? Of course.

Consistency has been a problem. The team can be world beaters one game and struggle against lesser teams the next. Don’t forget, these are kids and you can be sure Fixter is on them daily with the message to bring “your A game” to every practise and game — taking a night off just won’t be tolerated.

Special teams continue to be a work in progress. The power play has slipped as of late, dropping from near the top of the league to 15th as of the end of last weekend.

The penalty kill is improving, but has to get better faster.

There might have been some concerns about goaltender Franky Palazzese, but I think it’s safe to say he’s found his game. He looked average early on this season, but he continues to get better each and every game.

Last weekend was a prime example. A road trip to London, Sarnia and Guelph produced just one win, but Palazzese gave his team a chance each and every game.

Offensively, the Wolves have two of the league’s top performers through the first quarter of the season. Nathan Pancel began the week with the OHL’s goal-scoring lead at 19. He’s on pace to shatter his career best of 26 goals in 68 games, set last season.

A seven-point road trip last weekend moved Mathew Campagna into sole possession of second in league scoring with 31 points. That helped him get a spot on Team OHL at the upcoming Subway Super Series game against the Russians, to be played in Sudbury on Nov. 25.

So, while there have been plenty of ups and downs over the first quarter of the season, last weekend’s road trip through the Western Conference was probably the team’s best three game performance so far.

Yes, it produced just one win, but if the team continues to put in that kind effort, fans are going to be seeing more wins and a march up the standings.

Stew Kernan is the radio and television voice of the Sudbury Wolves, and the News Director at KiSS 105.3 and Q92. This column appears every other week in Northern Life.