The Lakehead Thunderwolves will host the York Lions in Game #1 of the OUA West first round playoff series. Lakehead enters the Series with a 13-10-3-2 OUA record (16-17-3-2 overall); which puts them third in the OUA Far West and fifth overall in the OUA West. York is 13-10-3-2 in OUA play (15-17-3-2 overall) and are second in the OUA Mid West Division and fourth overall in the OUA West.
The game goes Wednesday at 7:30 pm EST in Thunder Bay and Games 2 & 3 if nescessary will be in York on Saturday February 17th and Sunday February 18th at2:00pm ESTboth afternoons. Wednesday's game will be videowebcast live with ordering information available at www.thunderwolveshockey.com in the Webcasts and Broadcasting Section found at the bottom of the main page. Lakehead Argus Campus paper Sports Editor Alan Wickware will be calling the play by play live with Lakehead Thunderwolves Sports Information Director and Broadcast Manager Mike Aylward doing the pre-game and colour commentary. The game(s) in York can be heard live on 580 CKPR in Thunder Bay and online at www.ckpr.comwith Bryan Wyatt calling all the action and Jonas Gilbart hosting the Intermission show.
Lakehead is coming off a tough series with the Western Mustangs on the weekend were they lost and tied the Mustangs. York meanwhile comes off of a tough loss to the first place Laurier Golden Hawks and an OT loss to Brock.
Head to Head:
Lakehead is 13-6 against York all time; 8-4 in regular season play, 4-2 in playoff action, and 1-0 in non-conference play. Lakehead has outscored York 83-48 in those games.
Lakehead Thunderwolves:
The captain, Jeff Richards is questionable for the opening game with a lower body injury. Richards has 17 goals and 14 assists; 2nd in team scoring. Lakehead also needs to convert on more of their scoring opportunities.
Lakehead will also need scoring from smooth playmaker Tobias Whelan and freshman star Mark Soares. Whelan (16 goals, 25 assists) is tied for 3rd in OUA and 6th in CIS scoring while Soares has 16 goals and 15 assists and is second in team scoring.
The Wolves will need offense and two-way play from forwards like Mike Wehrstedt, Andrew Brown, Brad Priestlay, Richard Molenaar, and Mark Robinson. Freshman Brock McPherson played well last weekend and his continued strong play could be crucial in this series.
As a team, the Wolves will need to better protect their goal and cut down on the goals against this weekend and give support to goaltender Chris Whitley (11-10-3, GAA 3.81, SV% .905). The defensive corps will need to clear the front of the goal and also generate some offense and Lakehead will need strong play from Matt Jacques, Drew Kivell, Jarryd Brend, Andy Zulyniak, and Jordan Smith.
Lakehead Injury Report:
Defenseman Dan Rogers and Captian Jeff Richards are doubtful while fellow defenseman Steve Rawski is listed as day-to-day.
Lakehead 06-07 Results:
Fri Feb 9 Western 5 Lakehead 3
Fri Feb 2 Lakehead 4 York 2
Sat Jan 27 Laurier 6 Lakehead 5 OL
Fri Jan 26 Laurier 9 Lakehead 3
Sun Jan 21 Western 6 Lakehead 2
Sat Jan 20 Western 6 Lakehead 3
Sat Jan 13 Lakehead 3 Waterloo 0
Fri Jan 12 Waterloo 6 Lakehead 4
Sat Jan 6 Lakehead 5 Windsor 3
Fri Jan 5 Windsor 5 Lakehead 4 OL SO
Wed Dec 27 Lakehead 7 Calgary 6 NC OT
Thu Dec 28 Toronto 6 Lakehead 4 NC
Fri Dec 29 Laurier 4 Lakehead 3 NC
Sat Dec 2 Lakehead 3 McGill 2
Fri Dec 1 McGill 3 Lakehead 3 OT TIE
Sat Nov 25 UQTR 4 Lakehead 2
Fri Nov 24 UQTR 8 Lakehead 5
Sat Nov 18 Lakehead 6 Queen's 2
Fri Nov 17 Lakehead 6 Queen's 2
Sat Nov 11 Lakehead 8 Ryerson 3
Fri Nov 10 Lakehead 8 Ryerson 3
Sun Nov 5 Lakehead 5 Guelph 5 OT TIE
Sat Nov 4 Lakehead 5 Guel