The Sudbury Wolves finished off 2017 in the win column with a 3-2 win over the Guelph Storm on New Year’s Eve. Sunday’s game marked the inaugural Ugly Holiday Sweater game where winning bidders went home with jerseys off the players backs. Proceeds from the auction went towards the Infant Food Bank and Pregnancy Care Centre.

Jake McGrath was given the start in net and put on an excellent performance that included fending off 16 shots in the third period for the win. McGrath was named the first star of the night, while Shane Bulitka earned himself the second star for his two-point performance and Doug Blaisdell received the third star.

The Guelph Storm came out with a strong start in the first period, outshooting the Wolves to start the frame. A power play goal from Nate Schnarr four minutes in game gave the Storm their only lead of the game. With under five minutes remaining in the first period, Kirill Nizhnikov released a shot from the circle that went short-side on Anthony Popovich to tie the game at 1. The game stayed tied at 1 to end the first period.

It was the Wolves turn to have a strong start to the period as Drake Pilon gave the Wolves a 2-1 lead a minute into the second. The Wolves outplayed the Storm through the second period, outshooting them 11-6. Pressure finally paid off for the Wolves in the final 30 seconds as Shane Bulitka redirected a shot from Michael Pezzetta in front of the net to give the Wolves a 3-1 lead heading into the intermission. Ryan O’Bonsawin continued to make a difference since being called up from the Rayside Balfour Canadiens, recording his second point in as many games after picking up an assist on Bulitka’s goal.

Despite solid pressure from the Storm in the third period, the Wolves definitively held their lead. In the final minutes of the game, with the net empty for the Storm, Tag Bertuzzi finally was able to beat McGrath to put the Storm within one. That was as close as the Storm came as the Wolves picked up two points with a 3-2 win over the Storm.

The Wolves will return to action on Friday, January 5th when the London Knights visit the Nickel City for the only time this year. Tickets are on-sale now at the Sudbury Arena Box Office and online at greatersudbury.ca/tickets. Fans are encouraged to skip the box office line and save time with today’s WOLVES WEB WEDNESDAY where fans can purchase their tickets online and save the service fees.