By John Langdon
Despite a 60 save performance from goaltender Alain Valiquette, the Sudbury Wolves failed to pull out a win at home Sunday night as the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors stormed back with three unanswered goals to take a 2-0 series lead in the OHL Eastern Conference semifinal.
While being outshot 24-6 in the third period, the Wolves squandered a 2-1 lead after Michael Sgarbossa took an undisciplined penalty which lead to the equalizer from Mississauga’s Stuart Percy. Then with 5:02 remaining in regulation, Mika Partanen buried the game-winner to give the Majors a 3-2 road win in front of 4, 574 fans at Sudbury Community Arena.
Justin Shugg also scored for Mississauga, who remains undefeated so far this post-season.
Sudbury was led by forward Eric O’Dell who registered one goal and one assist in the losing effort.
Wolves captain Marcus Foligno recorded his first goal of the playoffs by opening the scoring on the power play early in the second frame after St. Michael’s forward Maxim Kitsyn was sent off for interference.
Mississauga netminder JP Anderson made 22 saves to register his sixth straight win this post-season.
The Wolves will look to avoid falling into a 3-0 series hole when Game #3 takes place Tuesday night at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga at 7:00 p.m.