Feb 07, 2012- 11:08 AM
Forward Michael Kantor was assessed a two-game suspension following the Wolves game in Brampton Sunday. The Illinois native will miss Wednesday’s game in the Soo and Friday’s home game against the Barrie Colts as a result of the suspension. Kantor will return to the Wolves’ lineup Saturday when the Wolves host the Sarnia Sting.
The Wolves will also be without the services of leading scoring defenceman Frank Corrado. The 18-year-old suffered a facial injury from a deflected puck that will require significant healing time. The Vancouver Canuck prospect is expected to be out of the Wolves’ lineup for a significant period of time.
The wounded/suspended players list, heading into this week’s OHL action, includes: Mathew Campagna, Alex Racino, Jeff Corbett, Mike MacDonald and Frank Corrado, all out indefinitely; Justin Sefton, day-to-day injury; Mike Kantor, two- game suspension; and Brody Silk – 12-game suspension.
The Wolves will look to call-up Aaron Scott from the Sudbury Cubs, Peter Poulin-Roy from the Sudbury Nickel Capitals and Danny Desrochers from the North Bay Trappers for Wednesday’s game.
“Calling up players to replace regulars is certainly more of a challenge at this time of year with all of our affiliate players and teams involved in a playoff drive of their own,” Blaine Smith, Wolves general manager, said. “When you lose a player for two games for verbal reasons, it really magnifies our injury problems. We are very fortunate to have affiliate teams like the Cubs, Trappers and Nickel Capital Wolves who are willing to free players up for us on a short-term basis.”
On another note, Smith said he is keeping track of the penalties being assessed to his club of late. “It seems to becoming a trend when it comes to our club.”
The Wolves were penalized 7-3 in Peterborough and 7-1 in Brampton for a total of 14-4 in power plays to the opposition’s advantage. The previous weekend, the Wolves were penalized 5-3 in Mississauga, 9-4 against Erie and 6-4 against Saginaw for a total of 20–11 in power plays for the opposition. Combined, the Wolves have now been penalized 34–15 in five of the last six games.
“I’ve reviewed the video and I feel that we have certainly gotten the short end of the stick on penalties,” Smith said. “With all of our injuries and so many games in a short period of time, it is mind-boggling that our team is facing the barrage of shots that we are facing, particularly on all of the power plays against us, yet, the boys are still finding a way of battling through it all and earning valuable points.”
The Wolves host the Barrie Colts Friday night at the Sudbury Arena, followed by the Sarnia Sting Saturday night. Game times are 7:35 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. respectively.
Saturday is the annual Vale Sudbury Saturday Night. Vale will provide scarves to all fans as they enter the building and the Shaft Bottom Boys will once again entertain the fans during the intermission. There are limited tickets available for this game. Tickets are available at the Sudbury Arena box office, online at greatersudbury.ca or by phoning 705-671-3000.
Posted by Laurel Myers
