The Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team will host the York Lions for a pair of games this weekend at the Fort William Gardens, with the opening face-off set for 7:30 on Friday and Saturday nights. During the Saturday game, the Lakehead Thunderwolves and Play It Again Sports will partner up in an effort to raise funds for the local Disaster Relief Fund.
Last Time Out
The Thunderwolves opened the OUA regular season with an impressive road sweep at Guelph last weekend. Lakehead downed the Gryphons 6-3 on Friday night, and then edged them 5-4 on Saturday.
Series History
Lakehead is holds a decided advantage over York with a record of 27-10-0 versus the Lions all-time. The two teams met last October for a pair of games in Southern Ontario. The Friday game was played on the York campus in Toronto, and the Wolves won that game easily, downing the Lions 7-2. On Saturday, the venue moved an hour north to Lakeheads satellite campus in Orillia, where the Thunderwolves won a much closer match by a 4-3 margin.
About the Lions
Eight of Yorks top ten scorers from last season are back, led by senior winger and team Captain Jesse Messier, who notched 34 points last year, tying him for 11th in OUA scoring and earning him a place on the OUA West all-star team. Behind Messier in team scoring last year were four freshman who return this season as sophomores; Tyler McGee, Troy Barss, Evan Gravenor, and Jordan Forfar.
Sophomore defenceman Jordan Davies was Yorks top defensive player last season, but the Lions blue line will strengthened by a trio of freshmen, with John De Gray leading the group. A former third-round NHL draft pick, De Gray instantly upgrades the unit. Other key additions on the back end are Tyler Mort and Paul Sohor.
Sophomore goaltender Andrew Perugini, who joined the Lions at the mid-way point of last season, will likely be the mainstay in the York net this year.
Scherbans Take
Thunderwolves Head Coach Joel Scherban believes that York will be a tough test for the Wolves. "After starting the season with a great sweep against Guelph, we face another strong opponent in York, Scherban said. The Lions finished last season as one of the hottest teams in the OUA, and return a large core of veterans plus a talented group of freshman including some players with professional experience. York will be one of the teams competing for the OUA West Division title, making this an important weekend for both teams."
Flood Relief
At Saturday's game, Thunderwolves Hockey and Play it Again Sports are teaming up to raise money for the local Disaster Relief Fund, to help families that were affected by the flooding that took place this past May. Play it Again Sports will have a table in the lobby of the Fort William Gardens Saturday night, and anyone making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund get a free skate sharpening and will be eligible to win $1,000 worth of new hockey equipment.
The Provincial Government will effectively triple every dollar raised for this cause. Play It Again Sports has donated $1,500 for Saturdays contest, so with the provinces contribution, $4,500 has already been raised before the game has even started. Mike Fonso, Co-owner of Play it Again Sports, said "Were just trying to do our small part in helping these families and business receive the necessary funding to assist them in these difficult times.
Jason Mallon, Executive Director of Lakehead Thunderwolves Hockey, said The Thunderwolves Hockey team is a community-based program that would not be here today without the support of the people of Thunder Bay. We hope the money raised this Saturday night will help the Disaster Relief Fund achieve its goals."
Wayne Fletcher, Chair of the Disaster Relief Committee, said "The Thunderwolves are an exciting part of our community. Its great that they continue not only to be great entertainment but also a strong member of our community by helping out those who have suffered due to the flood. This is contribution will help us restore our neighbors."