The Lakehead Thunderwolves will begin its 2019-20 campaign with a two-game home series versus the defending OUA West Division Champion Guelph Gryphons this weekend. Game times are 7:00 pm at the Fort William Gardens on both Friday and Saturday nights.
Series history
Lakehead holds a commanding lead over Guelph in the all-time series between the two teams with a record of 37-15-2 versus the Gryphons.
Lakehead won three out of four games against Guelph last season, sweeping the Gryphons on the road while splitting the weekend series played at the Fort William Gardens last February.
Young Blood
There are plenty of new faces on the Thunderwolves this year as first and second-year players make up over half of the team with nine freshmen and six sophomores on the roster.
Scoring Punch is Back
Even with all the young players in the line-up, the Wolves are not without plenty of returning talent. Eight of the top ten scorers from last season are still on the squad, including the team’s top four scoring leaders in Daniel Del Paggio, Josh Laframboise, Jordan King and Scott Gall.
Carrying the Load
After splitting time with Devin Green for the past two years, fifth-year senior netminder Nic Renyard is expected to handle the bulk of the Wolves’ goaltending duties this season now that Green has graduated. Brock Aiken and Brandon Bodnar will battle for the number two position.
New OUA Overtime Format
This year’s overtime format will feature a three-on-three, seven-minute, sudden-death overtime period. If the game is still tied after seven minutes, there will be a shootout. There will be no flood and no rest period between regulation time and overtime.
About the Gryphons
As OUA Queen’s Cup finalists, Head Coach Shawn Camp’s Gryphons should provide a tough test for the Thunderwolves this weekend.
Forwards Connor Bramwell and Todd Winder are Guelph’s top returning scoring threats, and rearguard Jesse Saban is an imposing presence on the blue line. Netminder Andrew Masters returns for his third season in the Gryphons’ goal.