For two periods on Thursday, the Sudbury Wolves kept it close with one of the better teams in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League.

Ultimately, their inability to generate much in the way of offense against the Windsor Spitfires combined with an almost inevitable three goal third period outburst by the homeside would give way to a 4-0 loss as the Wolves remain in search of their first win of 2025-2026.

Through 40 minutes of play, only Nathan Gaymes managed to hit the mark, giving the Spits a 1-0 lead late in the first.

Becoming the third different goalie to earn a start in the three Sudbury regular season games to date, Finn Marshall did his part in making this a game, turning aside 20 of the 21 shots that he faced.

That bubble would burst in period three as John McLaughlin doubled the Windsor advantage at 5:36 and then kicked off a 32 second stretch that would end all Sudbury hopes, netting his second just over half a minute before Jonathan Brown fooled Marshall for the final goal of the game.

With a record of 0-2-1-0, the Wolves found themselves outshot 36-17 in a quiet game that featured just two minor penalties aside.

Jan Chovan and Chase Coughlan recorded three shots on goals apiece for the visitors who now make the short trek along the river to face the Sarnia Sting Friday night at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena.

Sudbury will close out this three in three with another stiff test as the Brantford Bulldogs are awaiting them for a Saturday evening encounter.

With just four goals in three games to date and no immediate signs of return for the top-end tandem of Nathan Villeneuve and Kieron Walton, the Wolves will need someone (or several someones) to step up offensively very soon in order to avoid digging themselves an early season hole that is simply too deep to overcome.