With a good number of veterans not in the lineup, the Sudbury Wolves received a strong performance from starting netminder Owen Leonard but struggled to create offense, limited to just 11 shots on net through two periods of play and dropping a 3-1 decision to the Soo Greyhounds in their first of five pre-season encounters.

A fourth round pick in the 2025 OHL Entry Draft, Leonard turned aside all 23 shots that he faced as the contest remained scoreless until late in period two when Callum Coskery broke the ice for the hometown Hounds.

A power play goal from Daniel Berehowsky (defensemen Artem Gonchar and Luca Blonda drew assists) pulled the Wolves even early in the third before Christopher Brown netted what would be the game-winning goal at 12:46, with Noah Laus adding empty-net insurance with three seconds to play.

With the likes of Kieron Walton, Nathan Villeneuve, Alex Pharand, Gavin Ewles, Finn Marshall and Noah Roberts all watching from the sidelines, the visitors took some time to get their bearings, notably in creating quality chances in the "O" zone.

Finn Kearns (Sudbury) and Charlie Hilton (Soo) dropped the gloves late in the first, drawing the accompanying game misconducts. Free agent goaltender Jason Tremblay relieved Leonard in the second half of the contest, stopping 19 of the 21 shots that were directed his way.

The Wolves will now prepare to head to Timmins on Wednesday, doing battle with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies at the McIntyre Community Centre before returning to Sudbury next Friday (September 5th) to host the Greyhounds in the Nickel City.