The Lakehead Thunderwolves were downed 5-1 by the Manitoba Bisons Wednesday night in game one of the RBC Varsity Cup Challenge at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The Bisons struck early when Blair Macaulay put one past Lakehead goaltender Alex Dupuis, just 1:33 into the first period. The game had a good pace early on, with both teams exchanging hits. Lakehead evened things up at 12:35 of the first on the power-play, as Mike Quesnele let go of a laser shot that eluded Manitoba goaltender Joe Caligiuri. Assists on the goal went to Andy Zulyniak and Matt Caria.
Lakehead began the second period on their heels as the Bisons Greg Beller snuck one past Dupuis to put Manitoba up 2-1 at 3:49. Just as the Thunderwolves started to gain some momentum with some nice work in both ends, Beller got on the board again to put Manitoba up 3-1 at 8:43. The Bisons kept their foot on the gas, firing everything they could at Wolves goalie Alex Dupuis, who kept Lakehead in the game with some big saves.
The Thunderwolves came out in the third trying to erase the two goal deficit, but just couldn't seem to get a handle on the puck. The Bisons controlled the play and puck possession against a clearly frustrated Lakehead squad. Blair Macaulay scored his second goal of the game at 11:15, shoveling the puck past Dupuis. Del Cowan put Manitoba up 5-1 at 12:26 on the power play, with a nice wrister that found its way over Dupuis shoulder. The Wolves had some nice chances late in the game, but just could not convert.
Game two of the RBC Varsity Cup Challenge goes Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.