Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said his squad is looking forward to playing McGill in the Queens Cup at the friendly and noisy Fort William Gardens. Were honoured to play McGill, probably the hottest team in the country, and were looking forward to the challenge of facing this great team and their excellent goalie and record setting defense.
Lakehead will again look to its Captain Joel Scherban; last years Sullivan Trophy winner and five-time OUA West First Team All Star. (13 goals, 14 assists reg. season; 6 goals, 2 assists playoffs). Scherbans experience and leadership will be key against McGill as will the play of fellow OUA West First Team All Star forward Jeff Richards (11 goals, 13 assists reg. season; 1 assist in one playoff game) as he will be counted on for his lightning fast attack and tough backchecking. His return to the squad in the final playoff game vs. Laurier was a big boost to the Wolves and the Redmen will have to watch out for his speed.
The Wolves will also look to OUA First Team All Star d-man Erik Lodge (4 goals, 9 assists reg. season; 2 goals, 4 assists playoffs) as well as Mike Jacobsen (7 goals, 11 assists reg. season; 2 goals, 5 assists playoffs) to supply offense from the blue line.
Senior Jason Lange (8 goals, 11 assists reg. season; 3 goals, 4 assists playoffs) continued his phenomenal hockey against Laurier and he will be crucial in the Queens Cup. Tobias Whelan (3 goals, 4 assists reg. season; 2 goals, 3 assists playoffs), Dan Speer (4 goals, 6 assists reg. season; 3 goals, 3 assists playoffs), and Mark Robinson (6 goals, 6 assists reg. season; 4 goals, 3 assists playoffs) were Lakeheads best line in the Laurier series and their continued strong play will be key against the Redmens tough defense.
High-energy forward Mike Wehrstedt (4 goals, 8 assists reg. season; 3 goals, 1 assist playoffs) also made quite an impact upon his return from injury for the Western series and has scored 3 goals so far in the playoffs. Brad Priestlay (4 goals, 5 assists reg. season; 1 assist playoffs), Andrew Brown (5 goals, 6 assists reg. season) and Shandor Alphonso (2 goals, 4 assists reg. season; 2 goals, 3 assists playoffs) continue to play great two-way hockey and they will be needed as will senior Murray Magill (1 goal, 8 assists reg. season; 3 assists playoffs).
Offensive d-man Matt Jacques (4 goals, 8 assists reg. season) will be key as will fellow D-men Hugo Lehoux, Drew Kivell (7 assists reg. season; 1 assist), Mike Self (8 assists reg. season), and Dan Rogers (2 goals, 3 assists). Steve Rawski (1 goal, 3 assists reg. season) could also be ready to go for the game.
Both Lakehead goaltenders Grant McCune (Reg. Season 6-6, GAA 2.94, SV% .899: Playoffs: 3-1, GAA 3.75, SV% .891) and Chris Whitley (7-3-2, GAA 2.05, SV% .925; Playoffs: 3-1; GAA 1.85; SV% .938) have been strong in the playoffs and will be key against McGill no matter who gets the call.
Lakehead 05-06 Results:
Sun. Mar. 5 Lakehead 4 Laurier 2 PL
Fri. Mar. 3 Laurier 4 Lakehead 2 PL
Wed. Mar. 1 Lakehead 4 Laurier 1 PL
Sat. Feb. 25 Lakehead 3 Western 0 PL
Fri. Feb. 24 Western 6 Lakehead 2 PL
Wed. Feb. 22 Lakehead 4 Western 3 PL OT
Fri Feb 17 Lakehead 5 York 4 PL OT
Wed Feb 15 Lakehead 4 York 3 PL
Sun Feb 12 Western 4 Lakehead 2
Sat Feb 11 Western 4 Lakehead 2
Sat Feb 4 Lakehead 4 Brock 2
Fri Feb 3 Lakehead 3 Brock 2 OL
Sat Jan 28 Lakehead 7 Guelph 1
Fri Jan 27 Lakehead 5 Guelph 3
Sat Jan 21 Waterloo 8 Lakehead 5
Fri Jan 20 Lakehead 4 Waterloo 0
Sat Jan 14 Western 2 Lakehead 0
Fri Jan 13 Western 3 Lakehead 2
Wed Dec 28 Lake Superior St 4 Lakehead 0 EX
Thu Dec 29 StFX 3 Lakehead 2 NC OT
Fri Dec 30 Calgary 5 Lakehead 1 NC
Sat Dec 3 Lakehead 1 Waterloo 1 OT TIE
Fri Dec 2 Waterloo 4 Lakehead 2
Sat Nov 26 Lakehead 10 Toronto 0
Fri Nov 25 Lakehead 6 Toronto 4