The No. 3 Lakehead Thunderwolves host the Guelph Gryphons this weekend for a crucial OUA series at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay. Lakehead sits one point behind No. 2 Western in the battle for first in the OUA Far West while Guelph sits in fourth in the OUA Mid West, six points behind third place Laurier for the last playoff spot. Guelph desperately needs wins if it has any hope of catching the Golden Hawks. Lakehead goes into the weekend with a 15-3-1 OUA record and are 22-5-2 overall. Guelph is 6-10-2 in OUA play and 8-17-2 overall.
Series History:
The Gryphons have been one of Lakehead's toughest opponents since the Wolves joined the OUA. This will be the fifth and sixth meetings between the two teams and they have split the previous their four meetings with both teams scoring 19 goals apiece. Both teams have won one and lost won in the opposition's arena.
Lakehead will looking for scoring from Jeff Richards (15 goals and 20 assists, 2nd OUA, 4th CIS) and Captain Joel Scherban (13 goals and 19 assists, 4th OUA, 10th CIS). The Wolves will also be looking to Bryan Duce, Chris Shaffer, and Mike Wehrstedt for offense. As well, the all-around play from d-men Mike Jacobsen and Matt Kenny will be key in the series. Goaltender Grant McCune has been sharp as well lately, a good sign for the Wolves as they make the stretch run for the playoffs. Guelph has some potent scorers of its own. Scott Rozendal has 13 goals and 13 assists which is good for 9th in the OUA. Thunder Bay native Jesse Pyatt can also score, as evidenced by his 8 goals and 12 assists.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau has a very healthy respect for the Gryphons.
"We are 2-2 vs Guelph in last two years. Their best player is Goaltender Ken Ritson from Thunder Bay. They will be up for us and ready to knock us off. They work hard and can beat any team in our league. It will not be an easy weekend."
Series Notes:
- Lakehead is second in the CIS in goals per game with 5.6 while Guelph is tied for 18th with 3.2. Lakehead is fifth in goals allowed per game at 2.7 while Guelph allows 4.1.
- Lakehead is third in the OUA on the powerplay at 20.41% while Guelph is 7th at 14.94%. Lakehead is second in the OUA on the penalty kill at 88.18% while Guelph is 9th at 83.33%.
- Guelph has 58 goals for and 74 against while Lakehead has 106 for and 52 against.
- Four Gryphons will be making a homecoming to Thunder Bay as Ian Staal, Jesse Pyatt, Clayton Carson, and Ken Ritson all hail from the Lakehead.
Previous Meetings:
February 2, 2003: Guelph 6 Lakehead 5
February 1, 2003: Lakehead 6 Guelph 3
January 26, 2002: Guelph 5 @ Wolves 2
January 25, 2002: Guelph 5 @ Wolves 6
The two teams take to the ice at FWG at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday and 1:00 p.m on Sunday afternoon.