Tobias Whelan's OT shootout marker gave the Lakehead Thunderwolves a 2-1 win over the visiting No. 7 Western Mustangs in a gritty game played at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay.
The win puts Lakehead's record at 5-2 in OUA play and have 10 points in theOUA Far West Division while the Mustangs, who are 5-2-0-1 in OUA action, have 11 points and remain in first place just ahead of the Wolves.
Shots on goal were 36-32 Lakehead in the game. Lakehead was 0-6 on the powerplay while Western went 0-5.
There was no scoring in the game until Lakehead'sMark Soares notched his second of the season at 15:46 of the third period; assisted by Dan Speer. Western quickly replied at 16:58 of the third when a Marcus Smith point shot beat Lakehead netminder Chris Whitley; assisted by Patrick Oulette and Sean Courtney.
Lakehead netminder Whitley made two good saves in the OT period and the game went to shootout; the first in Lakehead Thunderwolves OUA history.
Western shot first and Kevin Richardson hit the crossbar. Lakehead's Kris Hogg was then pokechecked nicely by Western netminder Brad Topping. The Stangs Jeff Martens then fired wide. Lakehead's Brock McPherson then fired one high over the Western goal. Western's Sal Peralta was stopped by a nice pad save by Lakehead's Whitley. Whelan then had Lakehead's third shot and made a nice fake on Western's Topping and slid the puck home on the backhand.
The Molson's Three Stars, as chosen by Alan Wickware of the Argus newspaper; were:
1) Tobias Whelan: Lakehead
2) Mark Soares: Lakehead
3) Brad Topping: Western
The two teams face off again Saturday night at 7:30 pm EST at the Fort William Gardens.
Box Score:
Western 1 at Lakehead 2 (SO) - Status: Final SO
Nov 2, 2007 -
1st Period
Scoring - No Scoring
Penalties - A. Zulyniak Lak (hooking) 3:21, K. Lamb Wes (charging) 5:54, R. Martinelli Wes (tripping) 8:28, C. Petrow Wes (slashing) 13:53, M. Jacques Lak (tripping) 18:07
2nd Period
Scoring - No Scoring
Penalties - K. Hogg Lak (delay of game) 3:30, J. Martens Wes (high sticking) 4:41, A. Nemeth Wes (roughing) 14:44, K. Richardson Wes (roughing) 14:44, A. Brown Lak (roughing) 14:44, K. Hogg Lak (interference) 14:44, M. Maunu Lak (cross checking) 15:41, R. Martinelli Wes (interference) 18:41
3rd Period
Scoring - 1. Lakehead, M. Soares (2) (D. Speer) 15:46
2. Western, M. Smith (1) (S. Courtney, P. Ouellet) 16:58
Penalties - M. Maunu Lak (hooking) 5:04, M. Smith Wes (hooking) 11:21
OT Period
Scoring - No Scoring
Penalties - No Penalties
Shootout
Round 1 - WES - Kevin Richardson - No
Round 1 - LAK - Kris Hogg - No
Round 2 - WES - Jeff Martens - No
Round 2 - LAK - Brock McPherson - No
Round 3 - WES - Sal Peralta - No
Round 3 - LAK - Tobias Whelan - Yes
WES Shots: 8 7 13 4 0 TOTAL: 32
LAK Shots: 14 10 11 2 1 TOTAL: 38
Power Play Conversion
Western 0-5. Lakehead 0-6.
Goaltenders
Western
Topping 2-1-0-1 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:00 SV: 36 GA: 1 [SL]
Lakehead
Whitley 3-0-0-0 Start: 1st 0:00 Min: 60:00 SV: 31 GA: 1 [W]