Skip to content

Column: A Wolves 2014 Christmas wishlist

With the Wolves approaching the half way point of the season, I thought it would be interesting to take some time to look at what might be on the team’s Christmas list.
050913_wolves_logo660
The Sudbury Wolves play their final home double-header this weekend when the Peterborough Petes visit on Friday night, followed by the Mississauga Steelheads on Sunday. File photo
With the Wolves approaching the half way point of the season, I thought it would be interesting to take some time to look at what might be on the team’s Christmas list.

The Wolves have two games left before the holiday break — tomorrow night at home against the Barrie Colts and Sunday afternoon at the Hersey Centre in Mississauga to take on the Steelheads.

The Wolves enter tomorrow’s game riding a two-game winning streak. Usually that doesn’t mean much, but for this team it’s the first winning streak of the season.

The players haven’t had the chance to enjoy a winning streak yet, so it’s a great opportunity to build up their confidence — which has taken a beating most of the season.

Since ending their 13-game losing streak Nov. 1, the Wolves have posted 6-9-1-0 record, including going 3-for-2 during their six-game home stand.

While more wins are likely at the top of the Wolves Christmas list, I would say continued improved play would be OK by the coaching staff. Add consistency to that improved play and you can guarantee more Ws will appear in the win column.

Since Nick Baptiste was traded to the Erie Otters, Nathan Pancel has taken over as the Wolves offensive leader. After a terrible start, Pancel has been on fire, posting 13 goals and 23 points since Nov. 1. It's uncertain whether Pancel will finish his OHL career in Sudbury, but it looks like he'll go into the break as the team's leading scorer.

The other player who has really stepped up his play is Matt Schmalz. The big forward has probably been the most consistent player since the start of the season.

He leads the team with 16 goals and is on pace for a 30-plus-goal season. Just as important is the way he has scored a majority of those goals. Schmalz is using his 6-6, 210 pound frame the way everyone thought he should — to get to the net while punishing the opposition along the way, like a true power forward should.

Next on the wishlist: Continued offensive success for Pancel and Schmalz.

Along with some improved offensive play, there have been encouraging signs on the defensive side of the Wolves' game — a bold statement when you consider their goals for and against average is a minus 63.

Last weekend gave us a glimpse of what could be. The Wolves gave up only one goal in two games, thanks to goalie Troy Timpano and a concerted effort to stick to the defensive game plan drawn up by the coaching staff. Timpano has also been helped by some stiff competition for playing time by back-up goaltender Sam Tanguay.

With the additions of Jon Duchesne and Cole Mayo, the Wolves blueline has also seen some considerable change since the start of the season. The two have fit in nicely and helped add a little stability to a young defensive core.

So you can add continued hard work in the defensive zone to the Christmas list.

It’s been a difficult, and at times frustrating, first half of the season, but I think if we see more of what we saw last weekend — and if the above gifts are under the Wolves Christmas tree — it should be a lot more fun around the rink in the new year.

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.

Comments

Verified reader

If you would like to apply to become a verified commenter, please fill out this form.