Kris Callaway's goal at 1:58 of overtime gave the No. 4 Lakehead Thunderwolves a thrilling 4-3 winover divisional rivals Waterloo Warriors at the Columbia Icefields Arena in Waterloo, Ontario on Friday night. The Thunderwolves stormed back from a 3-0 deficit late in the second to get the win. Lakehead's scoring came from Callaway, Jeff Richards, Matt Kenny, and Craig Priestlay. Joe Pellegrino, Adam Metherel, and Mike Della Mora replied for the Warriors. Lakehead's record rises to 11-2-2 (18-4-3 overall) while Waterloo's record drops to 5-13 in conference play and 7-16 overall.
Lakehead had the edge in play in the early going but it was Waterloo's Joe Pellegrino opened the scoring for Waterloo at 4:44 when he pounced on a loose puck during a line change and beat Lakehead's Cory McEachran. The assist went to Ryan McGregor. Waterloo's Mike Della Mora made it 2-0 at 10:34, assisted by Geoff Rivers.
Waterloo took a 3-0 lead at 6:38 of the second, when Adam Metherel blasted a rebound high past Lakehead netminder Cory McEachran. The assist went to Mike Nixon. Lakehead went on the powerplay and hit a post and then Jeff Richards just missed high. The Thunderwolves kept up the pressure and were finally rewarded at 16:04 when Craig Priestlay scored, set up by Steve Rawski. Lakehead's Jeff Richards then used his speed to burn past the Waterloo defenders and blasted a backhand shot high past Waterloo netminder Scott Gouthro at 18:32.
The third period saw Matt Kenny score the equalizer for the Thunderwolves at 10:37 when he beat Gouthro with a hard shot top shelf. The assist went to Robert Hillier.
Lakehead stormed the Waterloo goal in the overtime and were rewarded at 1:58 when Kris Callawaybeat Gouthro togive the Wolves the hardfought win. Lakehead outshot Waterloo 49-22 in the game.
The two teams take to the ice again at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night at the Columbia Ice Fields Arena in the second game of their two-game set.
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
1) Waterloo: 4:44: Pellegrino from McGregor
2) Waterloo: 10:34: Della Mora from Rivers
Second Period:
1) Waterloo: 6:38: Metherel from Nixon
2) Lakehead: 16:04: Priestlay from Rawski
3) Lakehead: 18:32: Richards
Third Period:
1) Lakehead: 10:37: Kenny from Hillier
Overtime:
1) Lakehead: 1:58: Kris Callaway