The Lakehead Thunderwolves are set for their OUA league opener against arch-rival and defending CIS Champions University of Western Ontario Mustangs. The Thunderwolves go into the game after recording a record of 2-2-1 in five preseason non-conference games. The series pits last years OUA Far West Division Finalists against each other in what has become a fierce rivalry in only two years.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said the importance of this series can't be understated.
"We are playing the National Champions and are looking forward to the challenge. They have a quality team and these will be playoff type games early in the season, so discipline and character could be the big factors. We know the importance of these games and will have to be ready for all situations, they are a well coached team who are deserving CIS Champions. The fans will be the big winners in this opening series."
The Western Mustangs come into the series after recording a record of 0-3-1 in pre-season non-conference games. Western Head Coach Clarke Singer says his team looks forward to the challenging series. "Obviously, when you look at this upcoming series it looms very large for both teams, even though they are the first two of 24 regular season games. Lakehead has a tremendous team and we have built-up quite a rivalry after only one season. We know it will be difficult to go into their sold-out building and get a win, but we will prepare next week like the games are playoff games."
The two teams take to the ice Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay in what should be a thrilling series.
Western Mustangs Team Info:
The defending CIS Champions and University Cup Holders, the Western Mustangs, come into Thunder Bay with some familiar faces, and some new ones. Western comes in with a pre-season non-conference record of 0-3-1. The Mustangs have lost some very talented players to the pros and to graduation, but they are still a powerhouse team.
The Mustangs lost CIS Rookie of the Year and league-scoring champion Matt Dzieduszycki (21-28-49) when the slick centre joined the AHL's Syracuse Crunch following the University Cup. Talented fourth-year left-winger Rob Frost (12-25-37) signed with the Odessa Jackolopes of the Central Hockey League and left-winger Josh Bennett headed for the Peoria Rivermen of the East Coast Hockey League.
Also gone are goaltender Jarrett Rose, second nationally with a 1.73 goals-against average; hard-hitting left-winger Stacey Britstone, who scored the University Cup triple OT winner; centre Jeff Hare and defenceman Eric Thomson.
Also among the important returnees are team captain D Ryan McKie, centres Joey Talbot, Darren Mortier, and Jeff Martin, winger Justin Davis, and goalkeeper Mike D'Alessandro, who led the country (1.70 GAA) last season and was University Cup MVP.
New recruits include 6-4, 225-pound LW Chris Berti (Erie), two-way RW Brad Yeo (Plymouth), offensive LW Jamie Chamberlain (Peterborough), skilled D Sean Dixon (London), speedy RW Matt Bannan (Sarnia), C Scott Campbell (U of Alabama-Huntsville), D Franco Vincelli (Niagara U.) and LW Steve Benedetti (London Jr. B).