Wolves fighting to stay out of the history books

“Our motivation to win Friday night isn’t because we don’t want to be part of a dubious record. Our motivation to win is because we need a win,” Sudbury head coach Paul Fixter said. “We have one win through 13 games. Our record isn’t good enough. We need a win to start feeling good about ourselves.”

Positive has been the loudest word preached around the Sudbury dressing room. Coaches and players are using it to keep their minds from being cluttered and burdened. Fixter was glad to see the players smiling after a skill session on Monday at Sudbury Community Arena.

“It’s good to see,” Fixter said. “They have to stay positive. It’s tough right now, but these are good players and good things will come to them if they continue to believe, show up and work. Our job as coaches is to keep these guys positive.”

The players are not folding under pressure. They are facing the problem head on. And they have certainly not lost their fight or desire to compete.

“We’re going to go to war every night no matter what the score is,” forward Nathan Pancel said after a recent game against Erie.

During the hard times stretch, the Wolves haven’t made excuses. This has to continue. With Sarnia, Fixter is expecting the players to execute a wise game.

“The players have continued to work hard,” he said. “The work ethic is there and it is good. They also have to work smart. They need to protect the puck and not turn it over and know the defensive zone assignments and make good decisions with and without the puck.”

The team is in need of a bona fide spark. The coaching staff hopes it is in the form of the line featuring Matt Schmalz, Pavel Jenys and Ivan Kashtanov. The trio was effective last week when deployed. It makes sense as Jenys and Schmalz are one-two in scoring for the team. Jenys had three goals and 10 points through 13 games, while Schmalz registered seven goals and nine points in 13 games.

“Most recently, that line was outstanding,” Fixter said. “Maybe we found something there.”