The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team is on the road again this weekend when they travel to Oshawa, Ontario for a two-game series against the UOIT Ridgebacks.
Lakehead (4-3-1 OUA; 6-5-1 overall) is coming off an away split against the Western Mustangs and is tied for third with Western in the OUA Far West Division with 9 points; both 4 points behind division leading Laurier and 2 ponts behind second place Waterloo. UOIT (2-2-1 OUA; 4-7-1 overall) is coming off two exhibition losses to Princeton and Yale and are in fourth place in the OUA Mid West Division; one point behind the York Lions.
Lakehead Thunderwolves Head Coach Don McKee said he expects a very tough challenge from UOIT. There is never an easy weekend in the OUA this year. This week is no exception as coach Muylaert always has his team well prepared. He has added new talent and appears able to beat any team on any given night. UOIT has many returnees who will be a lot better now that they have a full year's experience. We will need to be at our best to have a successful road trip.
UOIT Head Coach Marlin Muylaert said his squad is looking for some home cooking this weekend. With a big win against a great Laurier team two weeks ago and a very convincing 5-2 win in London vs. the Mustangs; the Thunderwolves are looking like they have hit their stride. They dominated us last year in Thunder Bay but we are looking forward to this weekend to see if we have narrowed the gap between our two programs in any way. Its also always great to have a visit with Coach McKee as well.
Fridays game faces off at 7:30 pm EST while Saturdays kicks off at 3:30 pm EST at the UOIT Campus Ice Centre.
Fridays game can be heard live in Thunder Bay on Rock94 FM and online at www.rock94.com with Rock94 Sports Director Bryan Wyatt handling the call. Friday's and Saturday's games will be videowebcast free by UOIT Athletics and you can access it by going to the Ridgebacks website at: http://www.uoitridgebacks.com/fanzone/cast-live.html.
Head To Head:
The two teams met twice last year in UOITs first year of OUA play and Lakehead won both; outscoring the Ridgebacks 11-2 in the two wins in Thunder Bay. The Wolves are sixth in the conference in Goals For with 27 (3.4 per game) while UOIT is 17th with 15 (3 per game). Lakehead is tied for sixth best in Goals Against with 21 (2.6 per game) while UOIT is 11th with 25 (5 per game).
Lakehead Thunderwolves:
Eight games and four weekend series into the OUA regular season; a trend has developed for the Wolves; losing the Friday night game and bouncing back with big Saturday night wins. Coach McKee and his squad will look to break that trend this weekend and are aiming at a consistent effort through both games. However, they cant take the Ridgebacks lightly or they will pay the price.
Sophomore Kris Hogg continues to play excellent two-way hockey and leads the Wolves offensively with 6 goals and 4 assists; tied for sixth in OUA scoring. Senior Scott Dobben also is playing well and has 2 goals and 5 assists.
Junior Brock McPherson (4 goals, 2 assists) will need to be at his best as will his former and possible future line-mates junior Mark Soares (2 goals, 3 assists) and senior Dan Speer (2 goals, 2 assists); who both seem to be finding their scoring touch again.
Freshman Arron Alphonso has looked good so far this season and has notched a goal and 4 assists. The Wolves will also look for strong two-way play from fifth year senior captain Andrew Brown (3 assists) and fifth year senior assistant captain Tobias Whelan (2 goals, 2 assists).
Defensively, freshman Kalvin Sagert has been very strong in early season play and leads the D-Corps in scoring with a goal and 3 assists. Junior Jordan C. Smith has 3 assists and senior Andy Zulyniak has a goal and an assist. Lakehead will look for continued strong play from sophomores Ryan Baird (4 assists) and Mitch Maunu on the blue line. Sophomore Pierre-Marc Guillbault (3 assists in two games) will be back in the line-up this weekend and his offense will be a welcome addition to the blue line. Coach McKee will look for the D-Corps to work hard to cut down Lakeheads GAA this weekend.
Chris Whitley (3-1; GAA 2.75, SV% .900) and Kyle Moir (1-2-1; GAA 1.97; SV% .930) have both been sharp so far this season and will need to be ready against the Ridgebacks. Moir continues to post excellent stats but unfortunately for him has been starting the Friday games that the Wolves have been losing; so he and Lakeheads fans will hope for a winning outcome for him; whichever night he may get the call.
Lakehead Milestones:
1) Chris Whitley passed Lakehead Legend Grant McCune for All-time minutes played for a Lakehead goaltender.
2) Mark Soares posted his 100th career point as for the Wolves when he scored his goal in last Saturday nights win over Western.
Lakehead 08-09 Results:
Sat Nov 1 Lakehead 5 Western 2
Fri Nov 31 Western 3 Lakehead 0
Sat Oct 25 Lakehead 6 Laurier 1
Fri Oct 24 Laurier 3 Lakehead 2 OL SO
Sat Oct 18 Lakehead 2 Waterloo 1
Fri Oct 17 Waterloo 7 Lakehead 5
Sat Oct 11 Lakehead 6 Windsor 1
Fri Oct 10 Windsor 3 Lakehead 1
Sun Oct 5 MN-Duluth 6 Lakehead 0 EX
Sat Oct 4 Saint Mary's 2 Lakehead 0 NC
Fri Oct 3 Lakehead 3 Saint Mary's 1 NC
Sat Sep 27 Carleton 3 Lakehead 2 NC
Fri Sep 26 Lakehead 3 Carleton 2 NC PPD Sat SO
UOIT Ridgebacks:
Coach Muylaert and his Ridgebacks will be looking to lay a trap for the Wolves this weekend at home.
Brent Varty (1 goal, 4 assists) is a talented offensive player while last years leading scorer Nathan Spaling has 1 goal and 1 assist so far this year. Assistant captain Derrick Bagshaw (3 goals, 2 assists) and Shane Nolan (2 goals) are two other players to watch. Jason Franssky (2 goals, 1 assist) and T J Legge (2 assists) can also play.
Captain Richard Power (1 assist) anchors the blue line squad for UOIT.
The Ridgebacks had an excellent recruiting season; landing several key freshmen that have made an immediate impact for the Backs. Leading the way is Mike Noyes; a 6-foot-4 defender who leads UOIT is scoring so far this season with 3 goals and 5 assists. Another freshman to watch is Soo, Ontario native Tony Rizzi (3 goals, 2 assists; Ont. OHL with Kingston and Peterborough). Other key recruits include Steve Spade, Jeremy Whelan and Chris Purves.
Matt Mateja (2-3; GAA 4.95; SV% .800) will be between the pipes and Josh Sturrock (GAA 3.69; SV% .880) is also back; coming off a season ending injury last year. Freshman goaltender Nick Fontana (0-0-1; GAA 3.99, SV% .830) is the third masked man for the Ridgebacks.
UOIT 08-09 Results:
Sat Nov 1 Princeton 8 UOIT 2 EX
Fri Nov 31 Yale 3 UOIT 1 EX
Sat Oct 25 Brock 7 UOIT 0
Fri Oct 24 UOIT 3 York 2
Fri Oct 17 UOIT 4 Toronto 2
Sat Oct 11 Queen's 7 UOIT 2
Fri Oct 10 RMC 7 UOIT 6 OT SO
Sun Oct 5 Canisius 6 UOIT 2 EX
Sat Oct 4 UOIT 2 Queen's 0
Sat Sep 27 Toronto 6 UOIT 0 NC
Sun Sep 28 Ryerson 6 UOIT 4 NC
Fri Sep 19 UOIT 6 Ryerson 5 NC OT