Wolves win big over IceDogs

The Sudbury Wolves went over nine periods without scoring a goal, but it was just a matter of time before they broke out of the slump.

That happened Saturday night as the Wolves hammered the Niagara IceDogs 7-1.

The win also snapped a three game losing streak.

Head coach Paul Fixter showed some relief after the game.

“It sure felt good to score some goals again” said Fixter. “It makes the guys feel better about themselves and that's important.”

Leading the Wolves attack were Nick Baptiste and Connor Crisp. Baptiste was back in the lineup after missing two games with concussion-like symptoms. He had two goals and one assist.

Crisp scored once, added two assists, and was named the game's first star. He said the team needed an effort like that.

“We've been struggling up front but we knew in a barn like this we had to shoot pucks on net from everywhere,” said Crisp. “Hopefully we develop some good habits for the rest of the way. With three games in four nights on the road, to be able to get four points out of six would be huge seeing that we have been struggling offensively.”

Some controversy came late in the game when the Wolves had a 5 on 3 powerplay and put five forwards on the ice with the score 6-1.

IceDogs head coach Marty Williamson started to yell across the ice at the Wolves bench directing his anger towards Paul Fixter.

“I know their coach was upset with me, but you know what, our powerplay had gone dry,” said Fixter. “I can't worry about the score, I have to worry about our team getting better ... and that was the message to the team, we're going to get better.”

The Wolves wrap-up the weekend Sunday night in Kitchener and it will be a homecoming of sorts for Wolves head coach Paul Fixter, along with goalie Franky Palazzese and forward Matt Schmalz. Fixter left the Rangers in the summer to join the Wolves, while Palazzese and Schmalz were acquired in a trade with the Rangers in January 2013.

Fixter says he's looking forward to it.

“It's great memories for me,” said Fixter. “I played there when I was younger and I coached there. I'll have a lot of family and friends there and it will be a fun day. Obviously I want to win the game but it will be fun to coach in that building on the other side.”