The Lakehead Thunderwolves downed the Western Ontario Mustangs 4-1 at the Thompson Arena in London, Ontario on Saturday to win the best-of-three OUA West Division quarter-finals series in two straight games.
The Wolves were led by senior forward Mike Hammonds three goals and a sterling performance by sophomore netminder Justin McDonald.
Hammond notched a pair of goals to give the Wolves a 2-0 lead after the first period, his first one coming when he beat Mustangs goalie Marc Nother on the blocker side 11:21 into the game with the assists creditedto Brennen Dubchak and Jake Wright. Then with Lakehead on the power play, Hammond converted again with just 49 seconds left on the clock. Wright picked up his second helper, with the other assist going to Keith Grondin.
Hammond got the only goal of the second period at the 4:34 mark by completing a natural hat-trick when he slid the puck in the net during a goalmouth scramble, and the Wolves held a 3-0 lead heading into the third.
The Mustangs Matt Marantz knocked home a rebound to spoil McDonalds shutout bid at 8:50 of the third period, but with the Wolves on the power play, Nathan Bruyeres point shot rang off the post and into the net with just under six minutes to play toseal the deal for Lakehead.
Shots on goal in the game were 34-32 for the Thunderwolves.
Lakehead now advances to the West Division semi-finals against an opponent still to be determined. The Wolves only home game of that best-of-three series will be game #1, which will be played at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay on Wednesday night.