The Lakehead Thunderwolves came from behind to defeat the Laurentian Voyageurs 4-3 in overtime before 2125 fans at the Fort William Gardens on Saturday night.
Billy Jenkins opened the scoring with a power play goal set up by Dylan Butler and Kelin Ainsworth to give Lakehead the lead 13:01 into the first.
The Voyageurs replied with a power play marker of their own when Nicolas Dionne fired a one-timer between Devin Greens legs with 32 seconds left in the period.
Brent Pedersen put Laurentian up by one early in the middle frame, but Lakehead tied the game when Matt Alexanders slap shot from outside the blue line handcuffed Voyageurs goaltender Charlie Millen and dented the twine at 8:14. Tyler Anton was credited with the assist.
Bradley MacDonald put the Voyageurs back in front midway through the third period and Christopher Smith had a great chance to increase their lead with about five minutes to go, but was stoned by Green on a breakaway.
Brennen Dubchak knotted the score with 3:30 remaining in regulation when he redirected Butlers pass over Millens shoulder while the Wolves were on the power play. Justin Sefton picked up the second helper.
The overtime lasted only 40 seconds, as Sefton sprung a streaking Jenkins who flew past the Laurentian defence and put a nice move on Millen to give Lakehead the win.
For the night, the Wolves went 2-for-7 with the man advantage, while the Voyageurs were 1-for-4.
Total shots on goal favored Laurentian by a margin of 34-26.
The Molson Three Stars of the game were:
1.Billy Jenkins, Lakehead
2.Dylan Butler, Lakehead
3.Dillon Donnelly, Lakehead
The Wolves and Voyageurs will do it all again on Saturday night beginning at 7:00 p.m.