The No. 4 Lakehead Thunderwolves defeated the Guelph Gryphons 6-3 Saturday night at the Gryphon Centre Arena in Guelph. The win lifts Lakehead's record to 14-5 in OUA play and 19-9-2 overall. Guelph's record now stands at 5-13-1 in OUA play and 7-17-1 overall. The win clinches second spot for Lakehead in the OUA Far West Division and home ice advantage for the first round divisional semi-finals.
Guelph played a tight checking game and played Lakehead close until the last eight minutes of the third period. The Thunderwolves were led by Captain Joel Scherban andJeff Richardswho scored two goals and an assistapiece, Bryan Duce with a goal and an assist,and by Mike Jacobsen and Robert Hillier who eachadded two assists. Guelph's Clayton Carson had a strong game, scoring a goal and also generating a couple other good scoring opportunities.
The first period began with both teams checking each other tightly on the big ice surface at the Gryphon Centre. Lakehead began applying some pressure at the 4:00 minute mark with both Joel Scherban and Bryan Duce coming close. Then the play swung in Guelph's favour during a Lakehead penalty to Mark Robinson. At the ten minute mark, Lakehead turned up the pressure. Gryphon goalie Andrew Gibson made a nice stop off Lakehead's Chris Shaffer, followed by a shoulder save off a blast from the point by Hugo Lehoux. Lakehead Captain Joel Scherban finally broke the ice at 19:02, when he scored a shorthanded goal by deking goaltender Gibson and sliding it past him.
The second opened with Lakehead on the powerplay. Joel Scherban quickly made it count by roofing a shot over Guelph's Gibson at 1:08, assisted by Bryan Duce and Mike Jacobsen. Guelph's John Dunphy quickly countered for Guelph at 2:16, when his hard wrist shot handcuffed Lakehead goaltender Grant McCune, beating him low and stick-side. Lakehead then came back with a few good chances but Gibson was sharp in the Guelph goal. Guelph's Jordan Manganaro took a shot from the side of the net that was batted down by Lakehead's McCune, but Mike Laurance was there to bang in the rebound at 18:10.
Lakehead's McCune made a nice glove save off Guelph's Darrell Cowan after he ripped a shot from the top of the circle three minutes into the third. Lakehead made it 3-2 at 5:45 when Craig Priestlay scored a beautiful goal set up by excellent passes from Robert Hillier and Brad Bartlett. McCune made a good stop off Guelph's Benjamin Pilon at 7:00. Guelph's Clayton Carson tied it up for the Gryphons at 10:43, when he knocked in a rebound off a shot from Marc Boisvert. Bryan Duce put Lakehead back in the lead at 13:28 when he backhanded a shot past Guelph's Gibson. The goal was set up by a great individual effort by Mike Jacobsen who carried the puck into the Guelph end and found Duce alone in front of the net. Jeff Richards put Lakehead up by two at 16:06, set up by a great pass from Robert Hillier. Guelph pulled Gibson with a minute left but Lakehead's Richards used his great speed to carry the puck past the Guelph defenders and put it into the empty net to make it 6-3 and put the game away at 19:15. Lakehead outshot Guelph 33-18 in the game.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said his team was pushed hard by the Gryphons. "Guelph worked really hard out there tonight, and made us work for the win. We'll have to play better tomorrow and work a lotharder down the stretchif we want to succeed in the playoffs."
The two teams take to the ice again Sunday afternoon at the Gryphon Centre Arena at 2:00 PM for the second game of the two-game series.