The Lakehead Thunderwolves were doubled 6-3 by the Manitoba Bisons in front of 1775 fans at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night.
The Wolves jumped out to an early lead when Kelin Ainsworth flipped the puck over Manitoba's startingnetminder Byron Spriggs who was sprawled out on the ice during a goalmouth scramble. Cody Alcock, who was appearing in his first game since a serious knee injury last January, picked up an assist and Justin Sefton was also credited with a helper.
Things turned bad for Lakehead later in the opening period when the Bisons scored four goals in under five minutes.
Kamerin Nault struck first on a Manitoba power play at 13:14, and less than a minute later Jonah Wasylak beat Wolves starting goalie Justin McDonald to put the Bisons ahead by one.
Shaq Merasty added two goals just 39 seconds apart to give Manitoba a 4-1 lead heading into the intermission.
The Bisons Nick Zajac scored 1:56 into the second period which turned out to be the only goal of the middle frame, giving Manitoba a 5-1 lead after 40 minutes.
Alcock got one back for Lakehead with an unassisted marker at 9:05 of the third period, narrowing the gap to 5-2.
Manitobas Justin Augert rifled the puck past Riley Corbin, who had replaced McDonald in the Lakehead goal six minutes into the second period, to put the Bisons up 6-2 with under ten minutes to go in the contest.
The Thunderwolves Tyler Anton capitalized on a power play opportunity late in the game, with Ainsworth and Matt Alexander getting the assists to round out the scoring.
Shots on goal for the night were 40-21 in favor of the Bisons.
The Molson Three Stars of the game were:
1.Shaq Merasty, Manitoba
2.Cody Alcock, Lakehead
3.Kamerin Nault, Manitoba
The Thunderwolves and Bisons will square off again on Saturday night beginning at 7:00 P.M.