The Lakehead Thunderwolves scored a 8-5 victory over the Waterloo Warriors in a high-scoring fast-paced game Friday night at the Columbia Icefields Arena in Waterloo. The Thunderwolves bounced back from learning that one of their players, Troy Kahler, had been ruled academically ineligible and disqualified from further CIS/OUA play this year. Because of this, Lakehead lost the two victories and 4 points it had earned from its two wins over defending CIS champions Western for playing with an ineligible player. The win raised Lakehead's record to 1-2-0 while Waterloo's record now stands at 0-3-0.
The first period was very quick, featuring a lot of early LU pressure. Lakehead's Shawn Perring opened the scoring at 2:14, assisted by Robert Hillier. Joel Scherban notched Lakehead's second at 4:16, assisted by Chris Shaffer and Mike Jacobsen. Warrior's Star Mark Robson hit the crossbar at the 5:00 mark, and then Waterloo got on the scoreboard at 8:37 on a goal by Adam Metherel, assisted by Chris Martin.. Lakehead's Bryan Duce scored on the powerplay at 11:56, assisted by Jeff Richards and Joel Scherban. The Thunderwolves Craig Priestlay ended the first period scoring at 18:27 to make it 4-1 Lakehead.
The second period was again very fast and Waterloo's Mark Robson opened the scoring at 4:25 on a wicked blast in the top corner over Lakehead goaltender Grant McCune. Lakehead replied at 5:11 when Mike Jacobsen ripped a hard wrist shot over Warrior's goalkeeper Mathew McGahey. Waterloo switched goaltenders, putting in Jason Willard at the 8:00 minute mark. Lakehead's Jason Lange made it 6-2 at the 12:48 mark, assisted by Matt Kenny and Tyler Williamson. Waterloo goaltender Willard made a great save off of Lakehead Captain Joel Scherban on a three on nothing breakaway with 30 seconds left in the period.
Waterloo came out flying in the third and made it a game by scoring 3 goals. Mark Robson opened the scoring with his second goal of the evening at 41 seconds, to make it 6-3. Lakehead replied on Bryan Duce's second powerplay goal at 4:17, assisted by Jeff Richards. Waterloo's Adam Metherel notched his second goal at 5:08, assisted by Nick Landry and Darran Fischer. Waterloo made it closer at 14:10 on a goal by Tyler Tennant. However, Lakehead's Jason Lange scored his second goal at 17:05 to put the game away for the Thunderwolves, assisted by Chris Shaffer and Wyatt Tunnicliffe.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau felt it was really important for his team to get a victory, but that there was a lot of room for improvement in team play.
"No disrespect to Waterloo, but this was our worst game of the year. Everybody got greedy, and were trying to get points, and we forgot about our game plan. We have to regroup and play better tomorrow."
The Thunderwolves outshot Waterloo 44-24. The two teams take to the ice again Saturday night at 7:30 at the Columbia Icefields Arena in Waterloo.