The Lakehead Thunderwolves overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Windsor Lancers 4-3 in front of 2031 fans at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night in the Wolves OUA opener.
The first period was played quite briskly with very few stoppages in play, and both teams went to their dressing rooms scoreless after 20 minutes.
Steve Anthony staked Windsor to a 1-0 lead 1:19 into the second period, and Kyle Haas beat Lakehead goalie Devin Green with a wrist shot from the point to put the Lancers up by two at 12:07.
The Wolves responded with a pair quick goals late in the period. Devin Fullum got the first one when he knocked a rebound past Windsor netminder Blake Richard at 16:14, with Trevor Hynnes and Grant Valiquette getting the assists.
Sam Schutt notched the second on a goal set up by Carson Dubchak and Jake Ringuette with just over a minute remaining in the middle stanza.
Justice Dundas stuffed the puck between Greens pads 4:06 into the third period to put the Lancers ahead 3-2, but Dylan Butler pounced on Ringuettes rebound while Lakehead was on the power play to knot the score at the 10:09 mark. Justin Sefton was credited with the second helper.
Lakehead got the winner on a short-handed goal when Carson Dubchak fed a streaking Kelin Ainsworth who broke in alone and beat Richard just before crashing into the Windsor goalkeeper at 15:09.
The Wolves played sound defense the rest of the way, and although the Lancers mounted a late flurry of action around Green, Lakehead held on to preserve the win.
For the night, the Thunderwolves went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Lancers were 0-for-4.
Total shots on goal for the game were 26-25 for Lakehead.
The Molson three stars of the game were:
1.Jake Ringuette, Lakehead
2.Kelin Ainsworth, Lakehead
3.Carson Dubchak, Lakehead
The Wolves and Lancers will square off again tomorrow night at the Fort William Gardens beginning at 7:00 p.m.