The Lakehead Thunderwolves were drubbed 7-1 by the visiting Ryerson Rams in front of 2589 fans on Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, ON.
It definitely wasnt the start that Lakehead envisioned after an exciting win on Friday night as Ryerson had a 3-0 lead before the first period was half over.
Jamie Wise was the first Rams player to get on the board when he fired a hard slapshot up and over Lakehead goalie Justin McDonald at 4:20 of the opening frame.
Shortly after, Ryersons Jason McDonough found a loose puck that squirted out from behind the Wolves net that he shoveled past McDonald.
Carson Dubchak had a great chance for the Wolves when his hard wrister beat Rams netminder Troy Passingham but couldnt beat the iron.
Then Rams captain Andrew Buck beat McDonald at 10:05 of the first to give Ryerson the early 3-0 lead.
Lakehead seemed to control the majority of the second period, at least as far as scoring opportunities went.
The period was highlighted by great chances by Andrew Wilkins and a Kelin Ainsworth shot that rang off the post, but the Wolves were unable to solve Passingham who was strong in net for the Rams for the second night in a row.
Ryerson defenseman Kent McPherson gave the Rams a commanding 4-0 lead 14:34 of the second frame on a 5-on-3 power-play.
Chris de la Lande got Lakehead on the board with a blast from the point that beat Passingham and pulled the Thunderwolves to within three goals. The assists were credited to Ryan Magill and Wilkins.
In the third period, Jamie Wise scored his second goal of the game with Jay Gilbert in the box for tripping when he tucked the puck past McDonald, increasing Ryersons lead to 5-1.
Ryerson put the game out of reach with two late goals to give the Rams a decisive 7-1 win and a series split with the Wolves.
Shots on goal for the game were 34-31 in favor of the Rams.
The loss leaves Lakehead one point behind first-place Ryerson in the OUA West Division, but the Wolves have the advantage of holding two games in hand over the Rams.
The Molson Three Stars of the game were:
1 Jamie Wise, Ryerson
2 Michael Fine, Ryerson
3 Andrew Wilkins, Lakehead
Lakehead will travel to Windsor next weekend for a pair of games against the Lancers.