Hounds explode over Wolves

The Soo Greyhounds extended their unbeaten streak to three games on Wednesday night by exploding for five third period goals in a 7-4 victory over the Sudbury Wolves.

The Greyhounds, in the midst of a four-game home stand, improved their record to 11-12-4 on the season, but more importantly, they gained two points on the Windsor Spitfires, who currently hold down top spot in the West Division with 29 points.

With the win the Greyhounds now have 26 points as well as a game in hand on the Spitfires.

The Hounds got off to a quick start in the opening period scoring twice before the game was seven minutes old. Blair Jarrett and Tyler Kennedy each scored their first of two goals on the night at 4:47 and 6:49, respectively.

In the second period, a pair of lapses in their own zone cost the Hounds. Early in the period, Bobby Chaumont got the Wolves on the board, when his shot went through a screen and beat Hounds netminder Jakub Cech on the power play at 1:53.

Kyle Musselman tied the game at 6:16 when he beat Cech on what was a delayed reaction as referee Brad Beer did not initially signal the play as a goal, but upon review awarded the Wolves the goal.

The Hounds did hold an edge in the shot department in the period as they outshot the Wolves 13-3 in the period.

Late in the period the Hounds also caught a break when Alex Eaton of the Wolves was called for high sticking at 19:42. On his way to the penalty box, the Wolves veteran jabbed Cech, who was on his way back to the Hounds goal after coming out on the delayed penalty call. Eaton picked up another minor penalty to give the Hounds a four minute man advantage.

Early in the third period, with the Hounds still on the man advantage, Ryan McInerney gave the Hounds a lead they would never relinquish when he beat Beech at 2:22. Andrew Desjardins scored shorthanded at 9:19 and Kennedy scored at 9:52 to give the Hounds a 5-2 cushion.

After Brad Staubitz scored to make it 6-2 at 11:32, Wolves defenceman Jonathan D'Aversa scored the Wolves second power play goal of the night at 13:40 and then Eaton beat Cech at 15:21 to bring the Wolves to within two goals.

The two third period goals were not enough though as Jarrett then sealed the deal with 0.6 seconds left on the clock as he scored into an empty net to give the Hounds the 7-4 victory.

Hounds coach Craig Hartsburg described the win as a "roller coaster ride." He added that the players did not panic when Sudbury battled to get back from being down 6-2 either as they looked to seal the win.

"We weren't bad very often in the game," Hartsburg said, "but it seemed like every time we were bad, (the Wolves) scored. When players panic, they freeze up and tend to get really quiet on the bench and the guys were almost angry on the bench.

"We're getting closer to being a good team," Hartsburg added, "but we have to build it so the lapses aren't as costly to us."

Hartsburg also felt that rookie forward Ryan McInerney played his best game and "probably had his best effort in a couple of weeks."

With a number of role players chipping in offensively against the wolves, including the likes of Desjardins, Hartsburg said of the group that "we need those guys to play good every night and to chip in" to be successful.

The Hounds will now look to keep their unbeaten streak going as they take on the Saginaw Spirit on Friday night at Memorial Gardens beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Kingston Frontenacs will also be in town this weekend as they make their lone appearance at Memorial Gardens on Sunday at 7 p.m.

*** ROSTER MOVES:

The Greyhounds announced on Wednesday that rookie forward Jacob Lalonde and rookie defenceman Tyler McKinley will be suiting up for the Soo Thunderbirds for the foreseeable future in order to get some ice time.

Hounds general manager Dave Torrie said in a release that "This move will provide these two players with some needed ice time. It will also assist in their development and conditioning."

The two players will suit up for the Thunderbirds when they play in Chelmsford against Rayside Balfour on Friday night and in Blind River on Saturday night when the Thunderbirds take on the Beavers.

The Hounds also announced that goaltender Matt Hache, who was the team's fourth round draft pick in the 2004 OHL draft, will be joining the club beginning on Dec. 6 as Jakub Cech attends the Czech Republic training camp in reparation for the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Hache will remain with the Hounds at least until their two road trips just prior to the Christmas break are completed.

*** DAY TO COMPETE ON WORLD STAGE:

Soo Greyhounds defenceman Josh Day was named to the Team Atlantic roster on Monday for the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge which takes place December 28th to January 2nd in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Ryan McInerney, the Hounds first round selection in the 2004 draft, was earlier selected to suit up in the same tournament for Team Ontario.