Wolves use power play to even series with Battalion at one game each

BRAMPTON, Ont. - Penalty troubles early in the game were too much for the Brampton Battalion to overcome on Sunday as they dropped Game 2 of their first-round matchup against the Sudbury Wolves 5-4 in Ontario Hockey League playoff action.

The Battalion were handed the first five minor penalties of the game and Charlie Dodero, Michael Kantor and Nicholas Baptiste each scored on the power play less than six minutes into the first period to put the Wolves ahead 3-0.

Dominik Kubalik and Jacob Harris scored even-strength goals for Sudbury, who evened their first-round matchup at one game each, while Dominik Kahun and Mathew Campagna chipped in with two assists apiece.

"Huge win for us today," said Dodero. "For some of the younger guys on our team, to get that first playoff victory is a big deal."

Patrik Machac, Blake Clarke and Brenden Miller each had a goal and an assist for the Battalion and Barclay Goodrow scored once.

Franky Palazzese made 30 saves for the win as Matej Machovki gave up five goals on 17 shots in a losing cause.

With Brampton forward Brandon Robinson serving a double minor for high sticking, Dodero scored from the point with just seconds remaining on Robinson’s first penalty and Kantor made it 2-0 just five seconds later when he found himself on a breakaway right off the face off.

After Baptiste put Sudbury in front 3-0, Brampton head coach Stan Butler was ejected for abuse of official.

With assistants Ryan Oulahen and Jason Ward running the bench, Brampton brought themselves to within one by the first intermission thanks to goals from Goodrow and Machac.

Harris restored the two-goal lead seven minutes into the second period, snapping a quick shot by Machovsky after taking a feed from Chad Thibodeau. However, the Battalion fought back to tie things up at four before the end of the second as Clarke and Miller put shots past Palazzese.

Kubalik scored the eventual winner as 8:12 of the third period.

Sudbury finished the game 3 for 6 on the power play while Brampton scored twice on six chances with the man advantage.

Game 3 is set for Tuesday when the Wolves host the Battalion at the Sudbury Arena.