Hounds down northern rivals (video added)

The Soo Greyhounds took care of business on Wednesday night.

In front of another standing room only crowd of 4,767 at the Steelback Centre, the Hounds outplayed the Sudbury Wolves to a 4-1 victory.

On a night where the Greyhounds welcomed gold medalists Josh Godfrey and Wayne Simmonds back to the lineup, the locals were forced to deal with the absence of two other top players.

Matt Caria was serving the second of a five-game suspension while Matt Lyall was ill.

The Sudbury Wolves were different looking team as well having unloaded goaltender Sabastian Dahm and forward Kevin Baker while welcoming new youngsters, including Sault product Dean Howard, in trades the past two days.

Despite surrending a goal 13 seconds into the game, the Greyhounds controlled the play, outshooting the Wolves 39-14.

Brandon MacLean, coming off his first career hat trick and multi-goal game, continued to have the hot stick scoring twice, including one into an empty net, while setting up another.

Michael Fine and Michael Quesnele, on the power play, rounded out the Greyhound scoring. Patrick Lusnak, currently a subject of trade rumours, scored the lone Wolves goal.

Wolves goaltender Alain Valliquette had a solid game and kept the score closer than it could have been. Kyle Gajewski picked up the win for the Hounds.

The northern rivalry continued to be physical as four fights broke out during the game, concluding with Anthony Peluso's ejection for being the instigator in a fight late in the third period.

With the win, the Hounds are beginning to pull away from the Windsor Spitfires for first place in the west division with a seven point lead.

The locals are back in action on Friday as the Niagara IceDogs visit the Steelback Centre for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Before Wednesday's game, the Hounds honoured Godfrey, Simmonds, Craig Hartsburg, who gave the fans and his players an emotional speech, and Bryce O'Hagan for their gold medal efforts.

Click here to view SooToday.com video highlight reel