The Lakehead Thunderwolves defeated the Manitoba Bisons 6-4 Saturday night before a crowd of 2806 at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. It was a three games in one; an even first period; a very Bison second that saw Lakehead netminder Grant McCune hold off a Bison blitzkrieg when he turned aside 26 of 28 shots fired mostly on Manitoba powerplays, and an exciting third with Lakehead going on the offensive to get the win.
Lakeheads McCune was simply awesome; turning aside 45 of 49 Manitoba shots. Peter Cava led Lakehead with two goals and an assist, Jason Lange had a goal and two assists, Murray Magill had a goal and an assist, and Joel Scheran had two assists. Lakeheads other goals came from Matt Jacques and Mike Self. The Bisons top line of Paul Deniset, Warren McCutcheon, and Kevin Saurette also had a fantastic game. McCutcheon had two goals and two assists, Deniset two goals, and Saurette an assist. Lakeheads second line of Cava, Magill, and Lange countered with seven points. Manitoba goalie Billy Flett also looked good, making a number of fine saves.
Action was fast early on and Lakeheads Jeff Richards came close two minutes in when he blasted a shot from the slot that was stopped nicely by Manitoba netminder Billy Flett. Flett followed with another save off Richards and a quick reaction save off the Wolves Murray Magill. Richards then made a great move, putting the puck between a defenders legs and ripped a backhander but Flett was again solid. The Bisons went on the powerplay 6 minutes in but it was the Wolves who had the first good chance when Tobias Whelan and Erik Lodge broke in on a 2-on-1 but Flett made a great sliding pad save to deny Lodge. Lakehead d-man Steve Rawski delivered a big hit on Manitobas Warren McCutcheon at center ice and the two big men had quite a collision. Sides evened up and Joel Scherban hit sprang Jason Lange with a lead pass and Lange deposited the puck between Fletts legs at 8:31.
Lange just missed at 13:20 after a lovely pass from Peter Cava. Manitoba had the man advantage at 15:30 and swarmed around the Lakehead goal. They were rewarded at 16:14 when Paul Deniset deflected a point shot past Lakehead goalie Grant McCune. The assists went to Warren McCutcheon and Rob Smith. The goal energized the Bisons but then quickly drew a minor and went a man down. Lakehead fired a few shots wide but couldnt convert; however they would start the second on the powerplay for 40 seconds. Lakehead outshot Manitoba 12-11 in the first.
Lakehead penalties and the play of McCune were the story of the second. Play started very fast in Period 2 and Lakeheads Richards came close when he ripped a shot off the right Manitoba post. The Bisons put on the pressure for a couple minutes; pinning the Wolves in their end but not getting a good scoring chance. Manitoba went on the powerplay at 5:13 but quickly drew a bench minor to put the teams at even strength. Manitoba changed goaltenders at this point; replacing Billy Flett with Steve Christie. Lakehead went on the powerplay but a defensive miscue by Matt Jacques gave the puck to Manitobas McCutcheon who broke in alone and beat McCune with a deke at 7:27.
However, McCune made a fantastic rolling glove save to rob McCutcheon who was set up alone again at 8:20. New Bison netminder Christie showed up at 9:50 when he robbed Lakeheads Joel Scherban with a great glove save. Lakehead went a man down again at 9:32 and then went two men down at 10:14. The Wolves then drew another minor, putting three Wolves in the box. The Bisons peppered Lakeheads but McCune shone keeping Lakehead in the game with a series of excellent stops. Manitoba then drew a minor making it 4-on-3 hockey for just under two minutes and the Bisons fired more shots at McCune. Play went to 4-on-4 and Lakeheads Scherban and Peter Cava broke in on a 2-on-1 and played keep away from the Bisons d-man until Cava roofed it