The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team completed their swing through Colorado with another OT battle on Monday night as they fought the Air Force Academy Falcons to a 2-2 draw at the Cadet Ice Arena in Colorado Springs. Lakeheads scoring came from Mike Jacobsen and Jason Lange while Brooks Turnquist and Josh Print tallied for the Falcons.
The tie puts Lakeheads non-conference record at 4-1-2. The Wolves had tied No. 6 Colorado College 5-5 on Sunday and lost to No. 1 Denver 7-1 on Saturday. Air Force was coming off a 9-2 rout of Union on Saturday and a 3-1 loss to No. 11 Maine on Friday at the Icebreaker Tournament in Colorado Springs.
Lakehead jumped to an early lead in the first when Mike Jacobsen scored on the powerplay at 2:22, assisted by Peter Cava and Matt Jacques. Lakehead then had penalty trouble; drawing six minors in the first frame. The Falcons broke through on one of their opportunities when Turnquist beat Grant McCune at 8:56 but the Wolves killed off the other five minors although they were outshot 15-5 in the first.
Chris Whitley then stepped in to see some ice time for the Wolves between the pipes. The Wolves then picked up the pace from the second period on; taking the game to the Falcons. Josh Print gave the Falcons the lead in the third period at 1:35 but Lakeheads Lange answered back soon after at 2:15, assisted by Murray Magill. Lakehead took a penalty in the OT but Air Force couldnt capitalize and the game ended in a draw. Final shots on goal were 33-27 in favour of the Falcons. The Three Stars were 1) Air Force netminder Ian Harper, 2) Lakehead netminder Chris Whitley, and 3) Falcons forward Josh Print.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said his team got better as the game went on. This team has a lot of heart. This was a fantastic effort for our third game in three nights at altitude and we were up against an incredibly fit team. They had the edge in the first period as we were in the box a lot but we really stepped it up from the second period on.
Lakehead returns to the friendly confines of the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay to host the Saskatchewan Huskies for a two game set this Friday and Saturday.