A dominant third period pushed the Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team past the visiting York Lions, 4-1, Friday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. The Wolves and Lions entered the final 20 minutes in a 1-1 stalemate but three goals, including two on the powerplay, pushed the hosts to a convincing final score.
With the win, Lakehead improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in OUA regular season play, while York drops to 1-4-1 overall and 0-1 in the regular season.
For the first time this season, the Thunderwolves opened the scoring as Kris Hogg potted his third goal of the season at 7:11 of the first period. Assisted by Mitch Maunu, Hogg was sprung on a breakaway during a four-on-four situation and deked right past York goaltender David Davenport for the beautiful finish.
Things got scrappy later in the opening frame as Dan Speer was given five minutes and a game misconduct for hitting from behind.
Penalties continued to plague the Thunderwolves in the second period as Scott Dobben was assessed a four minute penalty for spearing. Yorks Nathan Brooks scored at 9:56 on the ensuing powerplay with Lions captain Tyler Harrison earning the assist.
Dobben redeemed himself 6:33 into the final period when he scored the game winner off assists from Mark Soares and Victor Anilane.
Three minutes later, the Thunderwolves got a powerplay goal of their own when freshman Andrew Wilkins scored his second goal in a Lakehead uniform, banging it in from the doorstep. Hogg and Soares got their second points of the night with the assists.
Kalvin Sagert closed the scoring at 15:28 on another powerplay as he ripped a point shot through traffic to beat Davenport. Anilane and McPherson earned the helpers.
Lakehead closes their two-game series with York on Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens. Action get underway at 7:30pm.