The Lakehead Thunderwolves will battle the Waterloo Warriors in a De Facto playoff series as the OUA regular season concludes this weekend, with the opening face-off set for 7:00 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens on both Friday and Saturday nights.
The Records
Lakehead: 12-12-2 OUA, 26 points (8th place West Division)
Waterloo: 10-14-2 OUA, 22 points (9th place West Division)
Playoff Scenario
Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, seven out of the ten teams in the OUA West Division have already punched their playoff tickets, which means there is only one spot still up for grabs. With tenth-place York already eliminated, the final playoff berth will go to either Lakehead or Waterloo.
The path for both teams is simple, but easier for the Thunderwolves. Lakehead only needs one point (i.e. an overtime loss) to qualify for the playoffs, but with two wins over Waterloo and some help from other teams in the league, the Wolves could still finish the season in as high as fifth place.
Waterloo’s route is equally simple, but more daunting. Two wins over the Thunderwolves (both in regulation time) would put the Warriors in the playoffs and knock Lakehead out of the post-season picture. Even though both teams would have 26 points in this scenario, Waterloo would win the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Series History
Lakehead holds the edge in the all-time series versus Waterloo with a record of 38-27-2 over the Warriors.
The Wolves lost two games at Waterloo during the first half of the season, falling 6-0 in October and 6-5 in overtime last November.
About the Warriors
The Warriors are led up front by Cam Nicoll and Mark Bechtold, but Zac Coulter and Jack Scanlan are also scoring threats. Andrew Cordssen-David is Waterloo’s top defender.
Goaltenders Trevor Martin and Julian Sime have split time in the Warriors’ net, but Martin has posted the better numbers.
Jersey Auction Friday
The Thunderwolves will be wearing special “limited edition” jerseys on Friday night and fans can bid on them at a silent auction table in the lobby of the Gardens. Now in its 13th year, this initiative has raised well over $20,000 in support of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, with this year’s auction proceeds earmarked for the “Our Hearts at Home” cardiovascular campaign to bring full cardiovascular surgery to Thunder Bay.
Senior Night Saturday
Lakehead will acknowledge the graduating seniors in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday night with Patrick Murphy, Callum Fryer and Nic Renyard being honored.