The Lakehead Thunderwolves return home this weekend to take on familiar OUA West Division rival the Laurier Golden Hawks. Game times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night at the Fort William Gardens.
Last Time Out
The Thunderwolves split their weekend series with the York Lions, winning 5-2 Friday night at the Canlan Ice Sports Centre in North York, spurred on by a two-goal performance by Ryan McDonald. Saturdays game was played at Lakeheads satellite campus in Orillia, although York was technically the home team for the game. The home ice advantage wasnt enough for the Wolves as they were shut out 3-0, stymied by Lions goaltender Travis Rolheiser who turned aside all 41 Lakehead shots.
Laurier only played one game last weekend, collecting one point in a 2-1 overtime loss at Ontario Tech.
Series History
Lakehead leads the all-time series 22-18, and over the last few years the rivalry between the Wolves and the Hawks has grown in intensity. Lakehead and Laurier met four times last season, and split the series at two games apiece. The first pair of games was played in Thunder Bay in early November, and Lakehead thrashed the Hawks 10-4 in the Friday night opener, but then lost Saturdays game 7-4. The road games at Laurier were played on separate road trips. In late January, Lakehead shut out the Hawks 4-0, but Laurier downed the Wolves 4-2 in mid February.
About the Golden Hawks
Laurier is led by first-year Head Coach Greg Puhalski, a Thunder Bay native and former Golden Hawk player. He replaces the controversial Kelly Nobes, who has moved on to coach at his Alma Mater McGill. The Golden Hawks are one of the youngest teams in the league, with a total of 13 freshmen on the roster.
Laurier players to watch as scoring threats are senior forwards Ryan Bellows and OUA second-team all-star Jean Michel Rizk, as well as freshman Thomas Middup. On defence, the Hawks are led by senior blue-liner Ryan Bernardi as well as juniors Phil Magistrale and Jordan Bonneville. Sophomore goalie Ryan Daniels has carried the load in net so far this season.
Laurier and Lakehead are currently tied for second place in the OUA West Division with 9 points each, although Laurier does hold a game in-hand with a record of 4-2-1.
Scherbans Take
Thunderwolves Head Coach Joel Scherban is eager to get after the Golden Hawks, and is keenly aware of the importance of this series. "We look forward to playing Laurier, one of our biggest rivals, Scherban said. He added, This is our most important weekend of the year so far, as we are currently tied with the Hawks for second place in the very competitive OUA West Division."