Those howling Wolves of ’06-07
As the Niagara IceDogs have made it to this year’s Ontario Hockey League championship series despite being the no. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, we think back to the 2006-2007 season when the Sudbury Wolves wrote a Cinderella playoff story of their own.
Coached by the legendary Mike Foligno, the Wolves of ’06-07 were also-rans during the regular season, finishing below the .500 mark with a 29-30-9 record that made them the no. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference going into the playoffs.
But the playoffs would prove to be a different story for the Wolves.
Backed by retread goalie Sebastien Dahm and sparked by forwards Nick Foligno, Kevin Baker and Matt Dias and defenseman Jonathan D’Aversa, the Wolves fashioned three straight playoff upsets to make it to the OHL finals.
As the no. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, Sudbury began the playoffs by stunning no. 3 seed Mississauga 4 games to 1.
Up next came the no. 1 seed Barrie Colts. But the Colts were no contest for the Wolves, who completed a shocking four-game sweep.
On it was to the Eastern Conference finals for the upstart Wolves with the no. 2 seed Belleville Bulls providing the opposition. And Sudbury continued its magical playoff march by upending Belleville in six games.
The Wolves then faced a Plymouth Whalers team that had finished 36 points ahead of Sudbury during the regular season. The Wolves gave it their best but were ultimately upended by Plymouth in a six-game thriller to decide the OHL championship.
PHOTO: Former Sudbury Wolves coach Mike Foligno, while running a practice.
Great memmories of that Playoff Run ….. Good read RR!
“Those were the days my friend…”
Sorry Randy but I felt that Marc Staal was the heart and soul of that team especially on defence that kid was a stud back there.
Ross,
No question of the impact that Staal had on that Wolves team, regular season and playoffs included he had 54 points from his blueline spot. By the same token, D’Aversa racked up 78 points from his blueline position.
Regards,
Randy
I know just partial to defensive d men :). Have a good one