Hey Wolves: What was that?
If you watched Thursday night’s crucial Ontario Hockey League game between the ninth-place North Bay Battalion and the eighth-seeded Sudbury Wolves, you might be asking yourself the same question I am — what was that?
The Wolves need one win to secure an Eastern Conference playoff spot and they looked like a team that was out to lose in dropping a 4-0 road decision to the Battalion.
The consistent effort just wasn’t there for Sudbury while North Bay played desperation hockey and it paid off for the Battalion.
Don’t get me wrong, the odds are still stacked against North Bay. The Battalion still needs to win its final two games to have a shot at the playoffs.
The two teams meet again tonight in Sudbury.
The Wolves came out strong last night but couldn’t hold that momentum for long and it really was all North Bay for the majority of the game. The Wolves had some great chances — especially on the five-minute power play after forward David Levin was absolutely rocked at the blue line by Battalion defenseman Zach Shankar, who also was given a game misconduct for the hit. Levin did return to the ice but was unable to convert.
The Wolves looked like a team that was just off. There really is no other way to describe it. They just didn’t look good.
Reagan O’Grady, Wolves defenseman, had this to say about the game.
“Last night on the road we weren’t prepared in what was our biggest game of the year. We didn’t win the battles that we needed to and didn’t capitalize on our chances.”
For his part, North Bay netminder Justin Sime skated away with a shutout win, knocking aside all 23 shots he faced. If I’m being brutally honest though, he really wasn’t tested. I believe Wolves goalie Jake McGrath had a better game. This game could have very easily gotten out hand but McGrath gave his team a chance to get back in it.
There is no time to dwell on what could have been for the Wolves last night — it’s time to regroup and focus in on what needs to happen tonight.
O’Grady offered his thoughts.
“Tonight it’s gonna take all 20 players in the lineup to play a full 60 minutes because tonight is going to be a war and a battle. If we play our style of hockey and play it for the full 60 minutes, we are going to be in a hockey game tonight.”
60 minutes is what it takes.
Biggest game of the year and our Coach could not get his Players to show up!
My question is:
WTF
????? !!!!!
It sure as hell makes me wonder about these Wolves and the Coaching Staff. We have a pretty good team .. a lot better than our lousy records.
Also a “shout out” to Amanda for the great articles and a “shout out” to Randy for bringing Amanda on board for more Wolve’s coverage.
Thank you!
A question for Amanda Zurkowszky: Should Dave Matsos not have the Wolves more prepared? He is a Veteran Coach and the Woofers are not a bad Team at all. I don’t think.
I don’t for one second believe this to be a situation where Matsos does not have his players prepared. Both John Dean and Adam Dennis came to watch the Wolves play last Friday night against Barrie, to prescout for this home and home. I’m not saying they were more prepared, but it’s no secret that the Wolves take some untimely penalties. The Battalion and Wolves have faced each other after tonight 7 times this season, they know what makes the other tick. North Bay played desparation Game 7 hockey last night. I expect the same out of the Wolves tonigh in the old Elgin Street Barn.
Amanda you might of give more credit to Sime for a great game last nite with many great saves.
He did play well, but he was not tested as much as McGrath. Skating away with a 4-0 shutout win is nothing to turn your nose up at, but in my opinion, McGrath who faced 38 shots vs Sime’s 23 simply had a bettr game. The majority of Sime’s saves were routine, with one or two key saves, where as McGrath, there were several big key stops. This game could have very easily gotten out of hand had it not been for McGrath’s play. At the end of the day, North Bay walked away with 2 points.
Sime didn’t have a whole lot to handle last night so judging his play is a bit harder to evaluate than McGrath who played extremely well. Without McGrath, it could have easily been more like 7-0. Sime was only brought in when both Moran and Woroniuk had lengthy injuries but he was a tier II goalie pressed into service because the Battalion were desperate. The jury is still out on whether he is a bona fide OHL level goalie or not. He is agile but I haven’t decided whether many of his saves are skill, assists by D-men or just dumb luck. On the other hand, it looks like he’s good enough to give the Troops a chance.
Thought also that someone might have commented on Shankar’s hit on Levin. Levin went down like he was shot – Shankar gets a game misconduct and then Levin bounces over the boards to play most of the 5-minute power play that followed. Reminded me of those World Cup soccer players who are tapped on the elbow and go down like a fish flopping on the ice.
Wolves clinched at home tonight. Won 5-2
Well, the Wolves are in, in convincing fashion. Congratulations, and good luck. I think you’ll need it from here on in. But, hey – it’s playoff hockey, and anything can happen – and often does.
As for our Battalion – ‘miracles on ice’ anyone? This is our first experience of not having a playoff series with the Troops. My greatest concern is the effect this will have on next season’s subscriber and attendance numbers. Subscribers were already down several hundred for the present season. Further losses will not bode well for the team’s future prospects. 2017-18 should prove very interesting indeed.
Julian Sime, not Justin
Isn’t it possible North Bay could catch Niagara for the last playoff spot?
Yes sir.
To make the playoffs now, North Bay will have to beat Kingston on Sunday, while Niagara fails to get a point in their two remaining games, against Sudbury and Mississauga. In that event, the Bay and Niagara will play one deciding game for the eighth and final playoff spot. I think North Bay will get home ice advantage, by virtue of more wins. So, yes, it’s mathematically possible. (Correct me, if I’m mistaken on this.) Good luck Troops!