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Lakehead Downs Windsor 7-3

Sun Nov 02, 2003
Written by Mike Aylward
Photo by James Mirabelli

The No. 5 Lakehead Thunderwolves (4-1-0OUA, 8-2-0 overall) defeated the Windsor Lancers 7-3 Sunday afternoon at the Chatham Memorial Arena in Chatham, Ontario. The win gave the Thunderwolves 4 out of a possible 6 points from their three game away weekend against Western and Windsor. Lakehead had split their two game series against Western in London on Friday and Saturday nights. Windsor was also playing its third game in three days, splitting their two games against Waterloo.

The game was a seeming route with Lakehead ahead 6-0 going into the third, but the game Lancers turned it on in the third period to tally three goals and end the game with their heads held high. Lakehead had balanced scoring with goals coming from six different players. Wyatt Tunnicliffe and Robert Hillier led the way; Tunnicliffe with two goals and an assist, and Hillier with a goal and three assists. Mike Wehrstedt and Murray Magill added a goal and an assist each. Windsor's markers came from Ty Magitiaux, Jason Melo, and Alex White.

The first period started with a good chance for Lakehead's Jeff Richards who used his speed to undress Lancer defenseman Darryl Pope and then fired a backhander at Windsor goaltender Scott Murray. Lakehead's Hugo Lehoux then crashed heavily into Windsor's B.J. Gaylord. Windsor played aggressively in the early going developing good pressure on Lakehead and forcing Lakehead goaltender Cory McEachran to make two good stops. Lakehead's line of Robert Hillier, Murray Magill, and Wyatt Tunnicliffe were buzzing the Lancer goal throughout the period and were rewarded when Hillier fired a hard shot that rebounded off Lancer goaltender Murray. Tunnicliffe pounced on the loose puck and knocked it in for the Thunderwolves at 6:32. Lakehead kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Michael Wehrstedt knocked in a rebound off a shot from Tyler Williamson at 15:27. Lakehead had the edge in shots 13-4 in the first.

Windsor came out hard in the second, beginning the period on the powerplay. Lakehead's McEachran made a great save off Alex White during this early flurry. Lakehead killed the penalty and then put the pressure back onto the Lancers. Lakehead's Steve Rawski then crushed Windsor's Kyle Trudell. The Thunderwolves then exploded offensively and put the game away for all intents and purposes. Lakehead's Robert Hillier gave the Thunderwolves a 3-0 lead at 12:31, assisted by Wyatt Tunnicliffe. Jeff Richards got a shorthanded marker at 14:18 when his centering pass to Joel Scherban redirected through Murray's pads. Murray Magill made it 5-0 at 15:42, beating Murray between the pads on a breakaway. Leon Cooper made it 6-0 at 15:56, assisted by Austin Wycisk and Mike Wehrstedt . Lakehead outshot Windsor 9-7 in the period.

Windsor came to life in the third and restored some pride. Bryan White started their resurgence by ringing the Lakehead post in the first minute. The Lancers believed they had scored but the referee decided otherwise. Windsor got on the board at 6:57, when Ty Magitiaux knocked in a loose rebound in front of Lakehead's McEachran. Wyatt Tunnicliffe promptly replied with his second of the game at 7:37, assisted by Magill and Hillier. Windsor went on the powerplay and Ryan White fed Jason Melo who was standing alone in front of the Lakehead net. Melo promptly roofed it past Lakehead's McEachran at 9:49. Windsor went on the powerplay again and had some chances but couldn't capitalize. However, a Lakehead giveaway, right after the penalty had elapsed, gave Windsor's Alex White a gift in front of the Thunderwolves' net and White buried it at 13:20. Lakehead then had a kicked-in goal disallowed. The Lancer's third period charge ended at three goals as the horn sounded to end the game. Windsor outshot Lakehead 15-12 in the third while Lakehead had the edge in the game 34-26.

Lakehead next sees action Nov. 14th and 15th when they host the No. 10 York Lions in