The Lakehead Thunderwolves will host the Waterloo Warriors for the final regular season home games at the Fort William Gardens this weekend. Game time is set for 7:30 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Last Time Out
The Thunderwolves are coming off a road weekend split at Windsor. Following a 3-2 overtime shootout win for Lakehead on Friday night, the Wolves were downed 6-3 by the Lancers in a penalty-filled affair last Saturday.
Waterloo also split its two games last weekend. The Warriors won 6-4 at cross-town rival Laurier on Friday night, but were defeated 7-6 at Ontario Tech on Saturday.
Series History
Lakehead holds the all-time series edge over Waterloo with a record of 28-16-2 versus the Warriors. The Wolves played one game at Waterloo earlier this season in mid-October, in what was Interim Head Coach Mike Busniuks first game as Lakeheads bench boss. The Thunderwolves lost that contest 5-4 in overtime.
Playoff Implications
Lakehead currently sits in fourth place in the nine-team OUA West Division with 30 points, but trail third-place Guelph by only two points and second-place Windsor by three. With 26 points, Waterloo is presently tied with York for fifth place.
With four points in the OUA standings up for grabs this weekend, this series is critical for both teams hopes for home ice in the first round of the playoffs and possibly beyond.
About the Warriors
Sophomore Justin Larson leads the OUA in scoring, and freshman Colin Behenna is ranked eighth (second amongst freshmen), so the Wolves will have to be mindful whenever those two players are on the ice. Sophomore defenceman Joe Underwood is the anchor on the Waterloo blue line, but also has the ability to move up into the play and score when the opportunity arises. Fifth-year senior netminder Keaton Hartigan carries the load in net for the Warriors.
Seniors' Night
There will be a special pre-game ceremony on Saturday night, where graduating seniors Adam Sergerie, Kalvin Sagert, Victor Anilane and Trevor Gamache will be honored on the ice before the game. They will be presented with their game-worn Lakehead jerseys, as well as a Thunderwolves wristwatch.
Jersey Auction
The Thunderwolves will be wearing special jerseys on Friday, and fans can bid on them at a silent auction table that will be set up in the lobby of the Fort William Gardens. Net proceeds will go to support the Northern Cancer Fund.