The Lakehead Thunderwolves and the Saskatchewan Huskies fought to a 4-4 overtime draw before a crowd of 3292 at the Fort William Gardens on Saturday night. Lakehead's non-conference record goes to 6-3-1 and Saskatchewan's overallrecord goes to 8-3-1. The Huskies completely dominated the first period and looked like they were going to run away with the game but the Thunderwolves came alive in the second and the game was on. Lakehead rookie netminder Chris Whitley had a shakey start, letting in three goals on his first 7 shots, but then found his rhythmn and played superbly the rest of the game. Lakehead's goals came from Erik Lodge, Tobias Whelan, Peter Cava, and Brad Priestlay. The Huskies got their goals from Ryan Johnston, Curtis Austring, Garrett Soparlo, and Jeff Schmidt. Both teams went 1-7 on the powerplay and Saskatchewan outshot Lakehead 44-36.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveausaidthere werepositives and negatives in his team's play. "It was like three games in one. They took it to us in the first, we came back in the second, and then we took the lead in the third andbad penalties hurt us. Chris Whitley was great in goal and saved us onmany occassions. Then, we hung on in the OT. We need to be more consistent in our play overall."
Saskatchewan Head Coach Dave Adolph was happy withhis team's effort. "We started exceptionally well. We're a team that preaches team discipline, but we let it get away from us andallowed them toget back into the game in the second period. In the third and OT, we had a lot ofchances, but that Whitley was outstanding and we couldn't bury it. But, it was a great experience in Thunder Bay and a great environment to play in."
Saskatchewan jumped out to an early lead at 1:10 when Ryan Johnston fired a low wrist shot from the right circle that beat Lakehead goaltender Chris Whitley. The assist went to Brett Dickie. The Thunderwolves came right back at 3:53 when rookie Tobias Whelan pounced on a rebound and fired it in the top left corner past Huskies netminder Cale Jordison. The goal, Whelan's first for Lakehead, was assisted by Joel Scherban and Chris Shaffer. The Huskies answered 69 seconds (5:02) later when Curtis Austring fired a blast from the point that beat a screened Whitley. The assist went to Jon Barkman. The Huskies controlled play for about a five minute stretch and were rewarded at 13:42 when Garrett Soparlo knocked in a loose puck in front of Lakehead's Whitley. Assists went to Trent Adams and Alexcei McAvoy. The Huskies had a two-man advantage at the end of the period and Chris Whitley made an incredible glove save while in the splits near the end of the period. Saskatchewan outshot Lakehead 13-5 in the first.
Lakehead opened the second still two men down but successfully killed the penalties off. Lakehead put on a little pressure but then drew another minor right after Chris Whitley made a big save off Saskatchewan's Barkman. Whitley made another great stop off a point blast by Scott Schoneck as well as blocking the rebound. Whitley made three more big saves before the powerplay was done. The 'Wolves decided to play hockey at the 4:00 mark and startrf attacking the Saskatchewan goal with a barrage of point blasts and were rewarded at 7:48 when Brad Priestlay launched a rocket from the point beating Jordison over the right shoulder. The assist went to Whelan. Action became fast and furious with the Huskies Ryan Johnston just missing on the breakaway and then the 'Wolves coming close in a goalmouth scramble. Lakehead's Scherban then just missed from the slot after a great centering pass from Chris Shaffer. Lakehead then went on the powerplay and just missed with some hard point shots but then the 'Wolves drew a minor to even it up. Lakehead's Erik Lodge evened it up four-on-four at 11:11 whe