The Lakehead Thunderwolves were defeated 4-1 by the Michigan Tech Huskies Friday night in Houghton, Michigan. The Huskies took the play to the Thunderwolves for most of the game and penalties proved costly to the Lakehead as all of Tech's goals came on the powerplay. A very positive note for Lakehead was the stellar play of Lakehead rookie netminder Chris Whitley, who turned aside 45 shots. Lakehead's scoring came from Murray Magill while Colin Murphy, Brandon Schwartz, Clay Wilson, and Lars Helminen scored for Michigan Tech. The loss drops Lakehead's record to 4-2 in non-conference play.
Lakehead Coach Pete Belliveau said it was a learning experience for his team. "I thought we played a quicker, fitter team, a typical NCAA team. We didn't give up anything five-on-five, but penalties cost us and they executed very well on the powerplay. We were a step behind all night and they deserved the win."
Lakehead put the pressure on during an early powerplay and Tech's Luker came up with a series of good saves early. After the first five minutes, momentum swung to the Huskies and Lakehead's Chris Whitley came up with great stops off Tech's Jimmy Kerr and Malcolm Gwilliam. The Huskies then had a two-man advantage but Whitley again closed the door and the 'Wolves killed off the penalties. Lakehead took another minor and Whitley again made a spectacular save and the 'Wolves killed off this minor. Lakehead then had a powerplay of their own but couldn't capitalize. The Huskies took control again and Whitley came up with an incredible saves to rob Tech's Colin Murphy and Lars Helminen. The Huskies had the majority of the play in the period and outshot Lakehead 16-8.
Whitley opened the second with a great glove save off Tech's Mike Batovanja but the 'Wolves then drew another minor, and Tech's Colin Murphy made it count at 1:52, assisted by a nice pass from Brandan Schwartz. The other assist went to Jordan Foote. The Huskies kept Lakehead penned in but Whitley again was tough. Lakehead's Chris Shaffer then broke in on Tech's Luker, but the Huskies' netminder made a good stop. Lakehead then had a little pressure but drew another minor. Again, the Huskies made it count at 8:12, but this time it was Schwartz scoring from a very sharp angle, off a great setup from Murphy. The other assist went to Marek Dora. Lakehead finally went on the powerplay, but it was Whitley who had to make a great stop off Tech's Batovanja. Lakehead couldn't develop any offense and then drew another minor. The 'Wolves killed this one off but the Huskies kept up the pressure. Lakehead's Erik Lodge had a good chance at the 14:00 mark, but his one-timer was stopped nicely by Luker. Lakehead then went on the powerplay and finally made it 2-1 at 17:18, when Murray Magill made a great individual effort scoring from his knees in front of the Tech goal. Assists went to Robert Hillier and Peter Cava. The goal inspired the 'Wolves and buzzed the Huskies' goal. Luker made a great sliding save with under a minute left to deny the tie. Tech outshot Lakehead 13-10 in the second.
Play started in the third with some 4 on 4 action due to matching minor but not coincidental, penalties drawn at the end of the second. Lakehead's Jeff Richards just missed connecting on a one-time after a nice centering pass from Joel Scherban. The Huskies then went on the powerplay again when Murphy was brought down in front of the Lakehead net. Lars Helminen scored the Huskies third powerplay goal at 6:27 when a Lars Helminen shot deflected past Lakehead's Whitley to make it 3-1 for the Huskies. Assists went to Tyler Skworchinski and John Scott. The Huskies put on more pressure and Whitley came up with more good saves. Lakehead's Peter Cava fired a hard shot that was stopped by a screened Luker. Luker followed with another good save. Lakehead put on some pressure near the end of the period but then drew another costly penalty. Clay