The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team battled to a 5-5 tie with NCAA #6 ranked Colorado College Sunday night at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Lakehead netminder Grant McCune was again outstanding; turning aside 45 Colorado College shots. Penalties were a big factor in the game as Lakehead scored twice on the powerplay and once shorthanded while the Tigers scored three with the man advantage. Lakehead was led by Jason Lange with two goals and an assist while Jeff Richards notched two markers. Erik Lodge scored the other Wolves goal and Joel Scherban had two assists. Lee Sweatt paced the Tigers with a goal and three assists while singles came from Brandon Polich, Brian Salcido, Trevor Frischmon, and Cody Lampl.
Lakehead lost to Denver on Saturday night by a 7-1 score while Colorado College had won against Union and Maine on Friday and Saturday nights to win their Icebreaker Tournament in Colorado Springs. Lakehead now has a 4-1-1 record in non-conference and exhibition play this season while the Tigers go to 2-0-1.
Head Coach Pete Belliveau said his team kept working all night. We played well tonight and gave a fantastic effort for our second game at altitude in 24 hours. We skated with them and I think this shows we have a fast skating team. Grant McCune was the Grant of old and was our best player, very sound technically and made big saves. The whole team hustled and our defense moved the puck well.
Colorado College Coach Scott Owens, in the Colorado College post game radio interview, said his team played hard. I think its great that we play three games in three nights this early in the season and see what our kids can do. Im proud of the way we battled back and I think we just have to cut down on the penalties and the goals allowed.
Lakehead took an early penalty in the first minute of the opening frame and the Tigers buzzed the Lakehead goal but Wolves netminder Grant McCune was strong early. Lakehead took another minor but again McCune was strong. The Wolves went on their first powerplay and Lakeheads Jason Lange knocked it past Tigers netminder Drew OConnell at 9:40, assisted by Lodge and Matt Jacques. Lakeheads McCune squeezed the pads to deny the Tigers Derek Patrosso. McCune then followed with a nice save off Colorados Cody Lampl. Lakehead drew a minor in the last minute and McCune made another good save. The Tigers Sweatt then hit the crossbar with three seconds left and the puck bounced off McCunes back but did not go in. Lakehead drew four minors and Colorado six while the Tigers outshot the Wolves 15-6 in the first.
The Tigers quickly tied it at the beginning of the second when Brandon Polich beat McCune at 52 seconds, with Sweatt getting the assist. Lakehead took another penalty and the Tigers made it 2-1 when Brian Salcido beat McCune upstairs at 5:06 with assists going to Sweatt and Joey Crabb. The Wolves took another minor right after the goal was scored putting them down again. Lee Sweatt then scored a controversial goal to make it 3-1 when a Tigers forward pushed a Lakehead d-man into McCune and Sweatt shot the puck in at 6:26 with assists going to Scott McCulloch and Marty Sertich. However, no penalty was called against Colorado College and the goal stood despite Lakehead Captain Joel Scherbans protest. Colorado kept up the attack on McCune but he made a series of fine saves. Lakehead had a 5-on-3 for 50 seconds but couldnt develop any offense.
Sides evened up but the Tigers drew another minor giving the Wolves another short 5-on-3. Colorados Hobey Baker winner and Captain Marty Sertich was sprung on a breakaway but McCune stole the puck off Sertichs stick. Lakeheads Cava then had a good chance but OConnell made a big save. The Tigers Brian Salcido then drew four minutes for cross checking giving Lakehead another fantastic 5-on-3 chance to get back in the game. Again the Wolves couldnt bea