The Sudbury Wolves were just three minutes away from forcing overtime in the Soo on Wednesday night before the Greyhounds’ star defenceman, Darnell Nurse, scored to give the Hounds a 2-1 lead.
Nurse had a goal and two assists including an assist on the Greyhounds' empty net goal to give the home side a 3-1 victory over the visiting Wolves. The Greyhounds also drew first blood in reclaiming the Bell Challenge Cup that the Wolves won last season.
The Bell Cup will be awarded to the northern team with the best record in the six-game regular season series between the two northern rivals.
The game featured a goaltenders dual for most of the game as the Soo’s Matt Murray stopped 37 of 38 shots he faced. Wolves’ overage goaltender Joel Vienneau had another strong performance in goal, blocking 35 of 37 shots he faced. The two netminders earned the first and second star honours, respectively.
The Wolves and Hounds played to a scoreless first period with the Wolves out-shooting the Hounds 10-7. The Hounds scored early in the second period while on the power play, but the Wolves didn’t take long to tie the contest as German import forward Dominik Kahun scored on a Sudbury power play opportunity 18 seconds later. The goal was assisted by fellow import Dominik Kubalik and Mackenzie Braid.
That was all the scoring until Nurse's heroics in the final three minutes.
The trip to the Soo ended a difficult 11-game schedule to open the 2012-13 OHL season with the Wolves playing eight games on the road and three games on home ice, a press release stated. The Wolves will now play three consecutive games on home ice, beginning this Friday at 7:35 p.m. when they host the Belleville Bulls. On Sunday, the Wolves will host the defending OHL Champion London Knights. Game time is 2:05 p.m.
