A 2-2 record over a four game stretch is generally not reason for excitement in the land of the Sudbury Wolves.

But when your team loses seven straight games to start the year and are looking at a stats package that shows them as the lowest scoring AND worst defensive team in the OHL at that point, four straight games of very decent hockey is indeed reason for optimism.

In splitting a home and home two game set with the Soo Greyhounds, the local juniors showed signs that aspirations of a playoff berth for this fan base might not be completely delusional.

The Wolves put together their most solid 60-minute effort Friday night at home, doubling the Hounds 4-2 after spotting the visitors a 2-0 lead in the second period.

Sudbury outshot the Soo 10-8 in the opening frame but that meant precious little when the Lock City reps jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on goals from Travis Hayes and Jordan Charron.

Blake Clayton gave the Wolves some life, halving the deficit before the midway point of the frame and Kieron Walton deadlocked the contest at 2-2 exactly 55 seconds later.

The Wolves kept on pressing and were rewarded at the 13:30 mark as overage blueliner Gavin Ewles drilled home his first goal of the year, a snipe that would stand as the game-winning tally.

Captain Nathan Villeneuve added some insurance in the third period as Sudbury netminder Finn Marshall turned aside 29 of the 31 shots directed his way.

Understandly, the Greyhounds had vengeance on their minds 24 hours later, returning to Sault Ste Marie and seemingly intent on blowing the Wolves completely out of the water.

Outshooting Sudbury 17-9 in the opening frame, the Hounds exited with a 3-0 lead courtesy of goals from Ryan Kaczynski, Marco Mignosa and Kaczynski, with his second.

That, however, would be the last of the Soo scoring on this night.

Unfortunately, the Wolves could only muster a second period strike from Jan Chovan and despite outshooting the homeside 11-4 in the third period, still fell victim to a 3-1 setback.

Coach Scott Barney and company are back at home for a two game set this weekend, welcoming both the Barrie Colts (Friday) and the Peterborough Petes to town.