Tough loss for Wolves in Sarnia

The Sudbury Wolves did everything but get the two points in Sarnia, Sunday afternoon.

The Wolves out-worked, out-skated and out-chanced the Sting, but were still on the wrong end of the 3-2 final score.

The deciding factor was likely the Wolves lack of production on the power-play as they went 0-7 and are now just 3 for 33 on the season.

The power-play was a source of frustration for head coach Dave Matsos.

"Our power-play was stale today" said Matsos after the game. "We did generate some chances, but when we ended up with possession in their zone it looked like our guys weren't sharing the puck, everybody was trying to do it all themselves. It's obviously something we have to address".

For the second straight game, the Wolves played an excellent first period and took a 1-0 lead to the dressing room on Danny Desrochers second goal of the season.

The Wolves kept up their strong play in the second, but the Sting did tie at 1-1 late in the period.

The struggling power-play had two chances in the first four minutes of the third period, but failed to connect only to see Sarnia score shortly after both penalties expired to take a 3-1 lead.

Connor Cummins scored his first of the season at the 12:44 mark, but that was it was for the offense.

Despite the loss, Matsos was proud of how his team played.

"Sometimes you look at the game and it doesn't seem fair" said Matsos.

"That was a complete game. I felt we out-worked, out-shot and out-chanced that team. We had Schmalz and Heffernan in on break-a-ways and Levin in by himself.

"It's post and out is something I've said a bunch of times already this season and it's starting to get ridiculous that we're not getting a break. But you have to be proud of the work ethic and the compete level of the guys today and you just know good things are going to happen."

Matthew Menna made his first ever OHL start in the Wolves net. The seventh round pick in 2014 wasn't tested very often, but was very solid and made some key saves that kept the Wolves in the game.

"The boys played really well in front of me and we kept the shots against low and we kept the Grade A scoring chances low," said Menna.

"It obviously wasn't the outcome we wanted but if we keep plugging away we'll get some wins".

Menna says he was able to keep his nerves in check.

"It was good. I got my feet wet in the third period in London Friday night and I thought I played my game today".

It was also a big day for two other Sudbury Wolves.

Both defenseman Brandon Bastasin and forward Nicholas Romero were in the Wolves lineup Sunday, both making their OHL debuts.

The loss was the Wolves fourth in a row and drops their season record to 1-5.

The Wolves finish the road trip Monday afternoon with a 2 p.m. start in Kitchener.


WOLVES NOTES:

- Wolves defenseman Reagan O'Grady was not in the Wolves line-up Sunday. He is out with an upper body injury.

- Forward Brady Pataki left Sunday's game with an upper body injury.

- Rookies McCauley Carson and Ben Garagan were healthy scratches.