Strong efforts from some new faces were the difference as the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team defeated the visiting Guelph Gryphons 4-1 Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay.
Freshman goaltender Alex Dupuis made 28 saves and got his first CIS win before a hometown crowd of over 3,200 fans, while forward recruits Andrew Wilkins of Pickering, Ontario and Victor Anilane of Gothenburg, Sweden scored their first goals in a Wolves uniform.
With the win, the Thunderwolves sweeps their two-game series with the Gryphons and have extended their winning streak against Guelph to four games. Lakehead is now 15-3-2 all-time against their OUA West Division rivals and improve to 2-0 this year, while the Gryphons fall to 0-3.
After a scoreless first period, Guelph notched the first marker of the night at 4:07 of the second period when a juicy rebound was deflected in off the skate of a charging Jake Lalonde. Thomas Kiriakou earned the assist.
Just as they did on Friday night, Lakehead responded to their deficit with an offensive onslaught.
First-year forward Wilkins scored at 6:51 on the powerplay when he parked in the slot and fired it past Matt Smith after receiving a pass from Kris Hogg.
Less than two minutes later, Dan Speer scored his second of the season after pouncing on a rebound from the right side. Andy Hyvarinen and Brock McPherson got the assists.
Guelph had a golden opportunity to tie the game on a five-on-three powerplay nearing the midway point of the period with Kris Hogg serving a double-minor and Jordan Smith also in the box. Instead, McPherson, Victor Anilane and Shandor Alphonso held the fort with Alphonso clearing the zone and drawing a penalty on Nathan Martine.
Scott Dobben closed second period scoring, notching his first goal of the season at 18:55, on a wrap-around that was assisted by Soares.
Lakehead made it 4-1 on Anilanes goal at 8:02 of the final period, a beautiful highlight off a feed from Soares.
Things got physical in the games closing minutes as a ten-man tussle erupted following a hit from behind by Guelphs Lalonde on Lakehead defenseman Pierre-Marc Guilbault. When the dust settle, Lalonde received an automatic game misconduct, with five penalties handed out between the two teams, and the Wolves receiving their final powerplay opportunity of the night.
Dupuis was named the first star of the contest, with Mark Soares and Anilane earning second and third stars, respectively.
The Thunderwolves open their OUA regular season next weekend, when they host the York Lions, Friday and Saturday night.