The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team play host to the No. 9 Waterloo Warriors this weekend in a must win situation for the Thunderwolves as they chase the Warriors for second spot in the OUA Far West and a playoff spot in the OUA West.
Lakehead is coming off two home losses to Western last weekend while Waterloo won and tied with Windsor. Lakehead is 8-6-2 in OUA play (12-12-4 overall) and have 18 points while Waterloo is 10-3-3 in conference action (15-7-3 overall) and have 23 points; so four crucial divisional points are at stake this weekend. Lakehead is 0-3-1 in its last four conference games (0-6-1 overall) while Waterloo is 1-1-2 in its last four OUA games.
Lakehead is 12th in the CIS in goals for with 3.4 per game while Waterloo is 13th with 3.3. Lakehead is 5th in the CIS in goals allowed with 2.3 per game while Waterloo is 13th at 2.9.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said this will be a decisive weekend against a top opponent. We are again playing a very good Far West Division opponent who is in second place and their goaltender (Darling) is superb. They play a solid defensive game where they can beat you 1-0 or 2-1.
Head to Head:
Lakehead is 14-4-2 against Waterloo; 12-4-2 in regular season action and 2-0 in playoff action. Lakehead has outscored Waterloo 84-59 in those games. However, Waterloo took three of four points (win and tie) from Lakehead in the teams first two meetings in Waterloo in December and the two teams split their four meetings last season.
Lakehead Thunderwolves:
The Thunderwolves come in desperately needing some wins and also in search of some offense which has been lacking of late. In its two home losses to Western; the Wolves played their best hockey recently but still couldnt put the puck in the net and outshot the Stangs in both games.
Lakehead needs scoring and the Wolves will need Captain Joel Scherban (9 goals, 9 assists), who is still adjusting to his insulin medication for his newly diagnosed diabetes, to lead his squad. Scherban displayed a lot more energy and stamina against the Mustangs and hopefully will improve even more this weekend. Scherban tied the Lakehead All Time scoring mark last weekend and Lakehead fans can watch and hopefully see him set the new mark this weekend.
Jeff Richards offense is also needed for the Wolves to be successful. He is 19th in OUA scoring with 8 goals and 11 assists. Jason Lange (4 goals, 7 assists) and Murray Magill (2 goals, 6 assists) need to find their scoring touches and convert their chances.
This weekend should see the return of high energy forward Mike Wehrstedt (4 goals, 4 assists) from injury and hopefully his presence will give the Wolves some spark. Mark Robinson (5 goals, 4 assists), Dan Speer, Tobias Whelan, Brad and Craig Priestlay, and the hustling Shandor Alphonso will have to be ready to play tough two-way hockey against a big and tough Warriors squad.
The defensive corps will need to give Lakeheads goalie a little better protection this weekend and move the puck quickly and accurately out of the Wolves zone. Mike Jacobsen (4 goals, 8 assists, Erik Lodge, (2 goals, 3 assists), and Drew Kivell (7 assists) will be key in directing the Lakehead attack. Mike Self played some solid defensive hockey against the Mustangs and hopefully will continue. Dan Rogers and Matt Jacques (both 2 goals, 3 assists) will also hopefully find some offense while big Hugo Lehoux and Steve Rawski need to play solid defense. Kris Callaway remains on the injured list and will not play this weekend.
Lakeheads goaltending has been the bright spot of late; with both Grant McCune (2-4, GAA of 2.77, SV% of .913) and Chris Whitley (6-2-2, GAA of 1.91, SV% of .932) playing solid hockey. Whitleys stats put him 3rd among both CIS and OUA netminders.
Lakehead 05-06 Results:
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