The host Thunderwolves are looking forward to regaining the Varsity Cup. Last season, they came close but lost to UNB in the tourney final. This years edition of the Thunderwolves is very quick and talented and backed by strong goaltending. Lakehead is third in the tough OUA Far West Division with an 8-4-2 conference record (12-7-2 overall) behind Top 10 ranked Western and Waterloo and the Thunderwolves have the sixth best record in the 16-team OUA at the Christmas Break.
Lakehead is 0-1 lifetime against Lake Superior State, 2-1 vs. St. FX, and 2-3 against Calgary.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau believes this will be the best Varsity Cup ever. I honestly think this year's edition will be the best tournament yet, with lots of parity.
On the final day of this tournament, there will be two very good teams who will not be playing, so our fans can expect high intensity, physical hockey during all seven games. Points will be hard to earn so execution, discipline, and goaltending will be the key. We are very happy to welcome Calgary and St. FX back and also very excited in hosting the Lake Superior State for their first time at the Varsity Cup. I think Lakehead fans are in for a real treat.
Lakehead features team captain and Sullivan Trophy Winner Joel Scherban anchoring the first line. Scherban (8 goals, 9 assists; 9th OUA) set the Lakehead Hockey All Time scoring mark in November and looks to set a mark that will stand for some time to come by the time this season is over. Lakehead fans can also expect the Kenora Komet, Jeff Richards (8 goals, 11 assists; 5th OUA, 16th CIS), to be a key offensive catalyst as well as smooth playmaker Peter Cava. Richards will most likely set the Lakehead all-time goal scoring mark this season as he and Scherban are both approaching that record as well. Richards is averaging more than 2 points a game in regular season play; tops among CIS scoring leaders. Linemate Peter Cava is also a threat with 3 goals and 7 assists.
Forwards Mark Robinson (5 goals, 4 assists), Brad Priestlay (1 goal, 2 assists), Andrew Brown (2 goals, 3 assists), Shandor Alphonso (2 goals, 3 assists), and Dan Speer (3 goals, 2 assists) are also dangerous as are proven Lakehead veterans Murray Magill (1 goal, 5 assists) and Jason Lange (4 goals, 7 assists). Lange showed great form in the final games heading into the holiday break. Tobias Whelan is also back from injury and should be a force at the Varsity Cup. Key forward Mike Wehrstedt (4 goals, 4 assists) will not see action at the tourney but will rejoin the Wolves in January.
The Wolves have a deep and talented defensive corps led by CIS All Canadian Erik Lodge (2 goals, 3 assists) and offensive star Mike Jacobsen (4 goals, 6 assists). Hugo Lehoux , Steve Rawski (2 assists), Mike Self (4 assists), Kris Callaway and Drew Kivell (7 assists) will also be key on the Lakehead blue line. Newcomers Matt Jacques (2 goals, 1 assist) and Dan Rogers (2 goals, 3 assists) have also played well.
The Thunderwolves goaltending tandem of Grant McCune (2-2, GAA of 2.89, 0.907 SV%) and Chris Whitley (6-2-2, GAA of 1.91, 0.931 SV%) are excellent and either can start between the pipes and both provide an excellent final line of defense in the Lakehead goal.
Lakehead 05 Results:
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
Sat Nov 19 Lakehead 3 RMC 3 OT TIE
Fri Nov 18 Lakehead 3 RMC 1
Sat Nov 12 Lakehead 5 York 3
Fri Nov 11 Lakehead 6 York 1
Sat Nov 5 Lakehead 3 Laurier 0
Fri Nov 4 Laurier 5 Lakehead 2
Sat Oct 29 Lakehead 3 Windsor 1
Fri Oct 28 Lakehead 3 Windsor 2
Sat Oct 22 Windsor 2 Lakehead 1
Fri Oct 21 Windsor 5 Lakehead 4
Sat Oct 15 Saskatchewan 7 Lakehead 5 NC
Fri Oct 14 Saskatchewan 4 Lakehead 2 NC
Mon Oct 10 Lakehead 2 Air Force 2 EX O