Minor Midget Wolves take gold in Waterloo

When it comes to head coach Doug McEwen and the Sudbury Minor Midget "AA" Wolves, it certainly isn't all about the offense.

The team scored more than three goals on one only occasion at the recent Waterloo Wolves Memorial Tournament, yet walked away as champions after posting six consecutive victories.

Surrendering just six goals over the course of those six games does have its benefits.

The Wolves kicked off their tournament with a 3-0 win over the Kitchener Jr. Rangers, as Patrick Godin, Nicholas Graham and Brady Maltais all found the back of the net, while Allisa Hitchen enjoyed a clean slate at the other end of the rink.

Parker Savard earned game MVP honours for Sudbury. Assisting on a pair of goals by Savard in game two, Spencer Lavallee was selected as MVP, as the Wolves doubled the Sarnia Jr. Sting 4-2.

Graham and Liam Punkari joined Savard on the scoresheet for the winners. The team improved to 3-0, building up a 3-0 lead and holding off the Waterloo Wolves, who scored twice on the power-play in the final minute of play.

Punkari, Godin and Dexter Mansfield scored once each for the local crew, while defenseman P.J. Nykilchuk was recognized for his efforts on the back-end, selected game MVP.

The Sudbury Minor Midgets continued to hold the fort in their final preliminary round game, tripping up the Chatham Kent Cobras 3-1. Tallies by Savard, with a pair, and Alexander Barry, provided the offense, while game MVP Conner Sauvé enjoyed a strong performance between the pipes for Sudbury.

Blueliner Josh Piché snapped a 1-1 tie midway through the final period, earning game MVP honours and lifting the Minor Midget Wolves to a 2-1 semi-final win over the Waterloo Wolves.

Sudbury broke the ice just over five minutes in, as Savard netted his fifth goal of tournament, with the host team getting that one back, while short-handed, later in the frame.

The Northern lads (and Hitchen) closed out the deal in style, blanking the Straford Warriors 3-0 on goals from Mansfield, Savard and Graham.

The Sudbury Minor Midget "AA" roster includes Allisa Hitchen, Conner Sauvé, P.J. Nykilchuk, Alex Cimino, Josh Piché, Spencer Lavallee, Jaymes Green, Patrick Godin, Brandon Lacey, Alexander Barry, Eric Rainville, Nicholas Graham, Julien Tubin, Aiden Chmielak, Parker Savard, Liam Punkari, Brady Maltais and Dexter Mansfield.

Joining McEwen on the team staff are assistant coaches Felix Piro, Bryan Clouthier and Ryan Mathes, with Mark Simpson as trainer and Peter Nykilchuk as manager.