The Lakehead University Thunderwolves and the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns battled to a hard fought 3-3 tie at Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay Friday night. The game was the first of two non-conference matches between the two teams.
The game was scoreless after the first period, tied at 2 after the second, and ended with Lakehead's Bryan Duce tying the game at 3 near the end of the third. Scoring for the Thunderwolves were Duce, Jeff Richards, and Robert Hillier. Scoring for Lethbridge were P.J. Lynch, Billy Katelnikoff, and Tylor Keller.
Thunderwolves Head Coach Pete Belliveau felt it was a good result for the Thunderwolves first test of the new season.
"It wasn't our best game, but it's the first game. We lacked game fitness, team cohesion, and the quick transition game. But, I'm happy with the tie result against a tough opponent. We'll get better as we go along."
The Three Stars of the Game were:
1) Lakehead's Jeff Richards
2) Lethbridge's P.J. Lynch
3) Lakehead's Robert Hillier
Shots on goal were even at 33 apiece. CIAU rules state that there is no overtime for non-conference matches, so the game ended at 3 apiece at the end of regulation time.
Attendance at the game was 2661. The two teams take to the ice Saturday night at 7:30 at the Fort William Gardens in Game 2 of the series.