OHL Soo Greyhounds

Defense Contributes Big in Offensive Outburst over Wolves

Published on January 20, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release


The past two meetings against the Sudbury Wolves and opening period deficit has ultimately put the Hounds behind the eightball and in a deficit they wouldn't overcome.

On Wednesday Night as they started a five-game home stand, the Hounds took the lead and never looked back in downing Sudbury by a score of 9 to 2.

"I thought we were better. I just thought throughout the game we were moving our feet, competing a little bit better, we were pretty good getting to lose pucks, our second effort was there which wasn't there in the first period in Sudbury" began Head Coach Drew Bannister when referencing the way his team came out of the gate tonight.

"Overall a much better game for us and our specialty teams were really good for us when they needed to be."

The defensive corps for the Hounds factored in a combined nine points, including three goals.

"I thought we generated a lot of offensive chances. But we did generate a lot. Our D (defense) did a good job getting pucks through" he commented in regards to the blueline specifically.

"We had a lot more traffic against Sudbury, and making it difficult on their goalie and D.

You can see by some of the goal whether they were tipped, rebound or second opportunities we create a lot of offense that way" he continued.

JACK KOPACKA put the Hounds on the board 2:25 into the first period putting home a rebound from a MEDRIC MERCIER point shot, and past Zack Bowman, for the 1-0 lead.

After Sudbury evened the game four minutes later, the Hounds connected twice more before the period was over.

Cole Mayo's attempt to clear the puck in front of the Sudbury goal was directed into his own net at 11:54, with credit for the powerplay goal going to the Hounds COLTON WHITE for the 2-1 lead.

The lead was then extended to 3-1 when a missed opportunity for the Wolves resulted in the Hounds skating in on a 2-on-1 the other way.

LIAM HAWEL carried the puck, made room, stopped and paused before hitting TIM GETTINGER for a one-timer that extended the Hounds to a two goal cushion through twenty minutes.

For Hawel, it was his first of three points on the night.

"I thought Liam was great. Great play on Timmy's goal. He was real good tonight" commented Bannister on his first-year forward.

Sudbury would pull within a goal near the midway point of the second period (Ryan Valentini @ 9:01) before the Hounds notched two goals later in the period, and six straight to end the game.

At the 11:36 mark of the period, ZACH SENYSHYN cut to the net off the left wing before taking the first shot that was followed up on and deposited by CONOR TIMMINS for his 2nd of the season and a 4-2 Greyhound lead.

GUSTAV BOURAMMAN (PP) scored for the second time in the last three games with under a minute to go in the second when his wrister went past the screen of GETTINGER and past Bowman for a 5-2 lead through two periods.

Shots were even 13-13 in the second period, while the Hounds held the 30 to 26 advantage.

Early in the third, the Hounds scored their third of the night on the man advantage when GABE GUERTLER batted the puck from the right of the goal for the 6-2 lead.

The four goal cushion stuck until the final five minutes where the Hounds would continue to pour on the offense for three more goals.

MAKAR TOKAREV tipped home a ANTHONY DEMEO shot at 15:12 before HAYDEN VERBEEK fanned on his first shot but continued on the play and scored from the goalline just thirteen seconds later making it a 8-2 game.

Then with twenty-five seconds to play in regulation when BOBBY MACINTYRE sent the pass to HAWEL who's shot was stopped before the Whitby, ON product (MacIntyre) deposited the rebound for the final goal of the night, and a 9-2 victory.

The Hounds powerplay was 4-for-6 on the night, while going a perfect 4-for-4.

"It's been good the last three games" said Bannister of his specialty teams.

"Specialty teams were very good. We made a few changes, they seem to be working now. Confidence goes a long way but we need to keep on them and certainly build on what they've done so far" he concluded.

BRANDON HALVERSON made 35 saves on 37 shots, while the Hounds improved their record to 19-18-5-1 on the season, good for 44 points.

ATTENDANCE - 4,069

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1-Tim Gettinger, SSM

2-Brandon Halverson, SSM

3-Boris Katchouk, SSM

UP NEXT;

The home stand continues for the Hounds this coming Friday, January 22nd when they play host to the Guelph Storm.

Game time is set for 7:07 p.m.

Fans can hear all the action beginning with the Bay Mills Resort & Casino's pre-game show on Rock 101 (101.3 FM, www.rock101.net) beginning at 6:37 p.m.

This game will also be simulcast on Oldies 93 (93.9 FM)

Check out the Soo Greyhounds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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