Having both newcomers to your team score in their first very game with the group is of relatively small consolation if: 1) those are your only two players who score and 2) the opposing team pots six.

So for as much as tallies from J-C Lemieux and Adam Nemec were encouraging signs for the Sudbury Wolves as they visited the Soo Greyhounds Wednesday evening, a four goal first period by the homeside chased Sudbury starter Bjorn Bronas in a 6-2 SSM victory.

While Bronas has put together some very nice outings since joining the Wolves in November, the 5th round pick from 2023 has also endured some clunkers - with this falling into that second category.

Three goals surrendered on just five shots by the halfway point of the first period effectively took the wind out of the sails of the Sudbury side who remain deadlocked with the Brampton Steelheads for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

A well distributed Greyhounds' attack featured snipes from Quinn McKenzie, Chase Reid, Lukas Fischer, Christopher Brown, Marco Mignosa and Brady Smith, as Sault Ste Marie continue to battle for first round home ice advantage in the playoffs.

Sudbury returns home for a pair of games in town this weekend, with the Niagara Ice Dogs visiting on Friday and the Ottawa 67's providing the opposition on Sunday afternoon.

And with time ticking down on the OHL Trade Deadline on Friday, the Wolves made the trade many expected, sending OHL second leading scorer Kieron Walton to the Peterborough Petes, along with a 7th round pick (2027) in exchange for 2008-born defenceman Genc Ula and five draft picks.

The selections being returned to Sudbury include a second round pick (PBO - 2029), three thirds (Brampton - 2026; Brantford - 2027; Oshawa - 2029) and a fifth (PBO - 2027).