The Lakehead Thunderwolves welcome Canada West opponents Regina Cougars for a two game non-conference series. The Cougars come into the Gardens with a 3-11-1 Canada West record and are 5-16-2 overall, good for third place in the Great Plains Division. The Cougars play a hard-hitting fast skating style of play, typical of Canada West teams, and are sure to give the Thunderwolves all they can handle.
Players to watch are All-Star defenseman Kurtis Dulle and standout goaltender Rob Muntain, who was named Canada West Player of the Week in October. The Cougars are the only team so farthis season who have taken a point off the No. 1 Alberta Golden Bears, tying them 3-3 on November 21st. Head Coach Bruce Thompson said the series will be a good test for his squad. Regina Head Coach Bruce Thompson said his team is ready to play at the Fort William Gardens. "Our team is looking forward to playing against a tough Thunderwolves' team and we're looking forward to playing before a big crowd at the Fort William Gardens. I have great memories of the Gardens because the last time I was in Thunder Bay was in 1989 when we won the Allan Cup with the Thunder Bay Twins (Thompson scored the winning goal that gave the Twins the Cup), so I'm really look forward to returning to the Gardens."
The Thunderwolves will use this series as their last holiday action before resuming OUA regular season play against Windsor on Jan. 16th at the Gardens.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said Canada West teams are always a tough test and that Regina will give the Thunderwolves a tough challenge. "We are always happy to play any team from Canada West because of their go all out style of play, and we know that they all finish all their checks so you can expect tough, physical hockey...which are playoff type games."
The Thunderwolves are coming off a 2-1 performance at the Bell Varsity Cup which raised their overall record to 15-4-1 overall (9-2-1 OUA). Lakehead currently sits in second place in the OUA Far West Division with 19 points, one point behind first place No. 3 Western.
Photoof Regina Goaltender Rob Muntainby Todd McCulloch: Regina SID Student Assistant