The Lakehead University Thunderwolves Mens hockey team fell 6-5 to the Laurier Golden Hawks on Friday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, ON, in front of a crowd of just over 3,000 fans.
There was no scoring in the first period, but there was a nice pace as both teams came out ready to play. Even without the scoring, there was plenty of action as both teams traded chances. Jordan Smith and Matt Caria were both stopped on clean breakaways by Laurier goaltender Ryan Daniels.
If the first period was a defensive battle, the second period was the total opposite as Lakehead and Laurier traded leads throughout the period. There was a span of 2:35 in which five goals were scored.
Lauriers Thomas Middup got things started at 3:49 of the second on a tipped shot in front that beat Thunderwolves goaltender Alex Dupuis on the power play. It didnt take long for Lakehead to respond as Ryan McDonald scored his eighth goal of the season at 4:20 on a terrific pass from Matt Caria. Mitch Maunu scored his first goal of the season at 5:43 of the second to put Lakehead up 2-1, assisted by Matt Caria. Just 21 seconds later, Andrew Wilkins fired a hard wrist shot past Daniels to put the Wolves in front 3-1. The Lakehead lead was soon deflated as Lauriers Benjamin Skinner put Laurier within one at 6:24. The Hawks tied things up on the power play at 10:03, as Jordan Bonneville scored on a funny looking shot that somehow found its way past Dupuis. Laurier then took the lead as Thomas Middup scored his second goal of the game. Lakehead captain Jordan Smith, who played at right wing for most of the game, scored at 17:20 on a nice wrister to tie the game at 4-4. The assist went to Brock McPherson.
Just one minute into the third period, Laurier took back the lead at 5-4 after some huge stops by Dupuis who couldnt get a handle on the loose puck. Kain Allicock was credited with the goal. There were plenty of chances for both sides, and the physical play picked up considerably after that. Lauriers Colin Williams scored at 16:09 of the third to put the Golden Hawks in front 6-4. Mike Quesnele pulled the Wolves to within one at 19:29 of the third on a rocket from the point, but a bench minor for too many men on the ice shortly after hindered Lakeheads chance to force overtime.
The Molson 3 Stars of the game were:
1. Thomas Middup - Laurier
2. Matt Caria - Lakehead
3. Jordan Smith - Lakehead
Game two of the series goes Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens at 7:30 p.m.