The Lakehead Thunderwolves welcome Canada West opponents Saskatchewan Huskies for a two-game non-conference series. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Huskies and the Thunderwolves. The Thunderwolves have a 6-2 non-conference record going into the weekend and are coming off a loss to Michigan Tech and two wins over defending CIS champs St. FX last weekend. The Huskies are currently sporting a 2-0 regular season Canada West record (7-3 overall) and are coming off two regular season wins over UBC last weekend.
The Thunderwolves have received strong play in the early going from veterans like Joel Scherban, Chris Shaffer, Erik Lodge, and Murray Magill. Magill leads the Thunderwolves with six goals this far in the season. As well, newcomers Peter Cava and Sean Stefanski have played very strong on a line with Magill. Rookie netminder Chris Whitley has been sharp in goal and rookie d-man Drew Kivell has shown promise. Lakehead will look to them and to the likes of Jeff Richards, Grant McCune, and Steve Rawski to lead them against the powerful Huskies.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Bellieau said the Huskies will be an excellent measure for the Thunderwolves before they begin the OUA regular season. "We are very happy to be hosting the University of Saskatchewan. They have an excellent reputation; you will see a big, strong, Western team who competes very hard and they are very strong contenders for the Canada West title this season. Coach Dave Adolf and his staff always assembles a strong fore-checking squad that is always active on the puck and will be in our face all night."
The Huskies opened their regular season campaign with the two wins over UBC and they were also Co-Champions of the Golden Bears-Brick Invitational Tournament hosted by the University of Alberta in September. The Huskies are in a bye week in their regular season schedule and therefore were able to make the trip to Thunder Bay.
Head Coach Dave Adolph said his team is looking forward to their first visit to the Lakehead. "We are all looking forward to the opportunity of playing Lakehead University. Peter Belliveau and his staff have done a great job of putting together a contender in the OUA in a really short period of time. We don't travel much out of our conference here in Canada West, but as it turns out, we are the only remaining Canada West team who hasn't played in Thunder Bay. So we are looking forward to the opportunity! We hear great things about the support of the community and the enthusiastic fans, and can't wait to experience it."
The Huskies return 19 players from their 2004 team; including third year goaltender Thomas Vicars, and All-Canadians Dan Hulak, Dean Beuker (5 goals and 9 assists), and Jon Barkman (5 goals and 4 assists). Barkman was named Canada West Player of the week for his 3 goal 2 assist effort in Saskatchewan's two wins over UBC last weekend. Another player to watch is Ryan Johnston who has six goals and six assists.
The Huskies are coming off a year where they finished first in the Great Plains Division for the seventh consecutive year and second overall in Canada West (4th consecutive year behind Alberta, finishing 1st the previous 3 years). Saskatchewan was ranked 7th in the season ending Top 10 poll last year.