The CIS No. 8 rankedLakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team host the Guelph Gryphons this Friday and Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario.To watch the series Video Preview; CLICK HERE.
Lakehead (9-3-2 OUA; 11-5-2 overall) is coming off an away sweep (two shutouts) over Brock and is in second place in the OUA Far West; one point behind Laurier. Guelph is 7-9-1 in OUA play (8-11-1-1 overall) and are in a three-way tie for first in the OUA Mid West. The Gryphons are coming off two losses to Windsor.
Lakehead Head Coach Don McKee said he expects a very tough weekend with the Gryphons. The Gryphons are presently tied for first with Brock and Coach Shawn Camp has made a strong statement that his team is going to be in the playoffs and he is demonstrating their potential with some key victories. Wins over Brock, York, Waterloo, Western, and losing to Laurier in OT, has indicated that they are as good as any team in the Western Conference. They are an extremely hard working team and are solid with good goaltending, big strong defence, and four solid forward lines. It is huge for both teams to win as they would like to go into the Christmas break on positive performances.
Guelph Head Coach Shawn Camp said his team needs to play a disciplined style against the Wolves. We will have to move our feet and limit our mistakes against Lakehead this weekend. We also have to continue to work hard and be a very disciplined against a team that is on a roll right now."
Both games face off at 7:30 pm EST at the Fort William Gardens. Both will be videowebcast live on a pay per view basis with ordering information available at http://events.news-cast.com/events/Lakehead Rock 94 FM Sports Director Bryan Wyatt will be calling the play by play and Argus Sports Editor Mike St. Jean will be handling the colour, pre-game and intermission duties. Broadcasts begin at approximately 7:20 pm EST each night. Fans will need hi speed internet and Windows Media Player to watch the broadcasts.
This Saturdays game will also feature the annual Thunderwolves CIBC Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are asked to bring stuffed bears and animals and all toys collected to various local Children's charities in Thunder Bay for the holiday season. At a select point in the game; fans are invited to toss their bears and animals onto the ice where they will be scooped up the Lakehead and Guelph players.
Lakehead Operations Manager John Payetta said the Teddy Bear Toss is always a fan favourite. "This is an awesome event every holiday season and our fans young and old love it; and the charities are always grateful and make use of all the stuffed toys. There is nothing quite like the site of a flurry of teddy bears flying onto the ice and its for a very worthy cause."
Head To Head:
The Wolves have an all time record of 11 wins, 3 losses, and 2 ties against Guelph; 9-3-2 in the regular season and 2-0 in the playoffs. Lakehead has outscored Guelph 76-49 in those 16 games.
The Wolves have the 8th ranked offense in the CIS; averaging 3.8 goals per game. Guelph is tied for 17th with 2.6 goals per game. Lakehead is tied for third in CIS team defense; allowing 2.4 goals per game. Guelph is tied for 13th; allowing 3.5 goals per game.
Lakehead Thunderwolves:
Lakehead played great team defense on the road against Brock; registering two shutouts and allowing the Badgers only 35 shots in the two games. This was the first time in Thunderwolves Hockey history that the Wolves swept a road series with two shutouts.
The Wolves however have a number of major injuries and health problems; and foremost was the injury suffered by fifth year senior assistant captain Tobias Whelan in last Fridays game against Brock. Whelans lower right leg was accidentally cut by a skate blade and he underwent surgery in St. Catharines on Saturday and team officials say they are waiting for the final medical prognosis and the projected rehab program for Whelan. He is resting comfortably in his Thunder Bay home.
Also out due to injury or illness are Jordan C. Smith, Ryan Baird, Devin Welsh, and Andy Hyvarinen. Smith is skating with the team but his shoulder injury will keep him out until the Varsity Cup. Hyvarinen skated with this team this week as he starts his rehab from a bout with pneumonia. Coach McKee hopes that he will be available for action this weekend. Welsh began skating this week but will not be available
for action until the Varsity Cup. Baird will have had minor surgery this week and should be ready for the Varsity Cup as well.
The wolves have been getting offense from a variety of players but junior forward Brock McPherson continues his fantastic play and leads the Wolves with 11 goals and 5 assists (tied 10th OUA). Sophomore Kris Hogg is right behind with 8 goals and 7 assists; 11th in the OUA.
Senior Scott Dobben (5 goals, 7 assists), junior Mark Soares (4 goals, 8 assists), and senior Dan Speer (4 goals, and 5 assists) will also need to supply offense this weekend for the Wolves.
Captain Andrew Brown has 8 assists and looks to find his goal scoring touch this weekend as well. Lakehead will also look for strong play from fifth year seniors Richard Molenaar (1 goal, 3 assists), Brad Priestlay (1 goal, 3 assists), and Shandor Alphonso (2 goals). Freshman Arron Alphonso (1 goal, 5 assists) could be a factor this weekend as well.
Fifth year senior assistant captain Drew Kivell (1 goal, 2 assists) will anchor the Wolves blue line along with sophomore Mitch Maunu (1 goal, 2 assists) and freshman Kalvin Sagert (2 goals, 3 assists). Pierre-Marc Guilbault (1 goal, 6 assists) will look to supply some attack from the blue line; especially with Jordan C. Smith and Ryan Baird being out of the lineup.
Goaltender Kyle Moir (6-2-2, GAA 1.60, SV% .938) had a strong weekend against Brock with two shutouts and fifth year senior Chris Whitley (4-1, GAA 3.19, SV% .884) will be ready to go this weekend as well.
Milestones: Sophomore netminder Kyle Moirs two consecutive shutouts in an away series are a first in Lakehead Thunderwolves history.
Guelph Gryphons:
The Gryphons are an experienced team with 17 returning players joined by a talented group of nine newcomers.
The offense is led by David Volpe (6 goals, 6 assists), Michael Nelson (7 goals, 5 assists), Kris Belan (5 goals, 1 assist), and Derek Knowles (3 goals, 4 assists). Alex Magera (1 goal, 3 assists) was the Gryphons leading scorer last season and has the potential to change a game.
On the blue line, the Gryphons are led by sophomore Barrett Brook (Leduc, AB) and Jeff Oginski (St.Albert, AB). As a freshman last year, Brook was named to the OUA All-Rookie team.
Guelphs new recruits are led by Justin Gvora (4 goals, 2 assists) of Thunder Bay, Patrick Campbell (3 goals, 3 assists), Mark Pawlowski (1 goal, 2 assists), Geoff Guimond (3 assists), and Edward Gale (2 goals, 2 assists).
Between the pipes the Gryphons feature junior Adam Jennings (5-4, GAA 3.62, SV% .891) and senior Andrew Arklie (2-6, GAA 2.82, SV% .910); both solid goaltenders.