Brock McPhersons second power play goal of the night 37 seconds into overtime lifted the Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team to a hard fought 3-2 win over the Manitoba Bisons in Day 1 action at the TBaytel Varsity Cup Tournament Saturday night in Thunder Bay, Ontario. To watch a Video Game Report; CLICK HERE.
These two teams historically have played each other tight and Saturday was no exception as it was a rough and tumble game that saw a lot of penalties and even a bit of a brawl in the third period.
Lakeheads other goal came from Ryan Baird while Bryan Wilson and Dan Speer each picked up two assists. Manitobas scoring came from Cole Hunter and Craig Beller.
Lakehead netminder Chris Whitley notched the win in the Wolves goal while Steve Christie took the loss for the Bisons. Both goalies made a number of big saves in the game with Lakehead outshooting Manitoba 32-22 on the night.
All three Lakehead goals came on the powerplay as they went 3-14 with the man advantage. The Bisons were 0-9 on the powerplay as Lakeheads penalty kill looked sharp.
Both teams showed rust after almost a months layoff for exams and holidays but they also came out hitting and the hits kept coming throughout the game. Some bad blood developed as the game progressed with a skirmish erupting at 8:25 of the third with both teams having players ejected.
The game also saw the Wolves debut their new maize uniforms and it was a very auspicious start to the new jerseys.
The Molson's Three Stars were:
1) Lakehead: Brock McPherson
2) Manitoba: Greg Beller
3) Lakehead: Ryan Baird
After Day 1 play; and due to the cancellation of one game due to weather and flight problems; Saskatchewan and Laurier have been awarded a point although they did not playwhile Manitoba has a point for the OT loss and Lakehead has two points for the win Saturday night.
Manitoba plays Canada West opponents CIS No. 3 Saskatchewan in the TBaytel Varsity Cup Day 2 afternoon game while Lakehead tackles No. 5 Laurier in the night game.
Game Photo Gallery; CLICK HERE.
To watch video interview of Lakehead forward Kris Hogg; CLICK HERE.
Live stats for all TBaytel Varsity Cup games can be found at http://www.leaguestat.com/tbaytelvc/varsitycup/en/stats/schedule.php.
All games are vidcast live with ordering info available at http://events.news-cast.com/events/Lakehead
TBayTel Varsity Cup Schedule:
Dec. 28:
4:00 pm EST: Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan
7:30 pm EST: Lakehead vs Laurier
Dec. 29:
4:00 pm EST: Manitoba vs. Laurier
7:30 pm EST: Saskatchewan vs. Lakehead
Dec. 30:
7:30 pm: Championship Final
Game Summary:
University of Manitoba Bisons 2 at Lakehead University Thunderwolves 3 (OT) - Status: Final OT
Dec 27, 2008 Attendance: 2889
1st Period
Scoring - No Scoring
Penalties - J. Walker Umb (high sticking) 0:15, A. Brown Lku (high sticking) 2:33, D. Kivell Lku (interference) 6:09, J. Walker Umb (checking from behind, roughing, game misconduct) 6:20, J. Smith Lku (roughing) 6:20, M. Olafson Umb (hooking) 9:14, P. Guilbault Lku (tripping) 11:49, A. Hyvaranen Lku (tripping) 18:37, S. Thiessen Umb (high sticking) 19:07, R. Wood Umb (slashing) 20:00, A. Brown Lku (roughing) 20:00
2nd Period
Scoring
1. U of Manitoba, C. Hunter (1) (K. Workman) 4:55
2. Lakehead U, B. McPherson (1) (D. Speer, B. Wilson) 10:20 PP
Penalties - P. Lamoureux Umb (interference) 2:51, M. Soares Lku (cross checking) 7:12, C. Beller Umb (high sticking) 8:54, K. Workman Umb (boarding) 9:51, C. Hunter Umb (slashing) 17:59, S. Alphonso Lku (interference) 18:17, T. DeLaronde Umb (holding) 18:54
3rd Period
Scoring
3. Lakehead U, R. Baird (1) (S. Dobben, P. Guilbault) 7:00 PP
4. U of Manitoba, C. Beller (1) (R. Wood) 13:44
Penalties - K. Workman Umb (hooking) 5:42, D. Brown Umb (holding) 6:31, T. DeLaronde Umb (instigator, fighting, game misconduct) 8:25, K. Workman Umb (fighting, game misconduct) 8:25, S. Alphonso Lku (spearing, spearing, fighting, game misconduct) 8:25, A. Hyvaranen Lku (fighting, game misconduct) 8:25, R. Baird Lku (high sticking) 10:46, R. Wood Umb (tripping) 14:04, S. Thiessen Umb (cross checking) 14:07, S. Dobben Lku (holding) 17:45, R. Wood Umb (interference) 19:47
OT Period
Scoring
5. Lakehead U, B. McPherson (2) (B. Wilson, D. Speer) 0:37 PP
Penalties - No Penalties
UMB Shots: 10 4 8 0 TOTAL: 22
LKU Shots: 6 15 10 1 TOTAL: 32
Power Play Conversion
University of Manitoba Bisons 0-9.
Lakehead University Thunderwolves 3-14.
Goaltenders
University of Manitoba Bisons
Christie 0-0-1-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:37 SV: 29 GA: 3 [L]
Lakehead University Thunderwolves
Whitley 1-0-0-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:37 SV: 20 GA: 2 [W]