The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team open their 2006-07 campaign with a two-game home stand as they welcome the Manitoba Bisons of the Canada West Conference to the Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay Friday and Saturday nights. The puck drops at 7:30 pm EST both nights.
The series will be interesting for Lakehead fans as they will get to see the new-look Wolves in action for the first time as well as a chance to see the new rules being implemented by the OUA this season. These rules will make Ontario University hockey more similar to the NCAA and NHL with tighter restrictions on holding, interference, and any type of stick-work.
Lakehead Head Coach Pete Belliveau said both teams always play each other very tough and this series should be no different. We are very excited to be hosting the Bisons again. These games will be very intense and we will both be learning to play with the new rules so our fans can expect fast end-to-end action. Our fans will also get a chance to see our new recruits and returning veterans in action and it should be a great series.
Manitoba Head Coach Don MacGillivray said his team is ready for Lakeheads challenge. Were obviously looking forward to the competition with Lakehead. Theyve established themselves as one of the premiere programs in the country and were excited about seeing how we match up against them early in the season.
Both games will be videowebcast live on a pay per view basis. Argus Sports Editor Alan Wickware will do the play-by-play and Lakehead Sports Info Director Mike Aylward will be doing the pre-game show and colour commentary. Ordering at http://events.news-cast.com/events/LHU. Viewers will need hi speed internet and Windows Media Player to watch the games.
Head To Head:
The Thunderwolves are 4-2 against the Bisons all-time but every game has been a battle as Lakehead has only outscored Manitoba 34-31 in those six previous games.
These will be Lakeheads first games of the season while the Bisons split a home and home series with the Regina Cougars last weekend; winning 4-1 in Winnipeg and losing 4-3 in Regina.
Lakehead Thunderwolves:
The Lakehead Thunderwolves mens hockey team enter the 2006-07 season as defending OUA Queens Cup Champions and CIS national silver medalists. This years squad will be a mix of proven veteran stars and promising new recruits.
Gone from the team are pioneers Joel Scherban, Grant McCune, Erik Lodge, and Craig Priestlay. Also gone are proven scorer Jason Lange, talented d-man Mike Jacobsen, and defensive stalwart Hugo Lehoux. However, the Wolves have loaded up with quality recruits and should be a force again this season in OUA hockey.
Leading the cast is new captain Jeff Richards (23 goals, 18 assists in 05-06); one of the most explosive and talented offensive players in CIS hockey. The fifth year senior holds many Lakehead offensive records and looks to add to them this year. Backstopping the Wolves is Junior goalie Chris Whitley (13-9-3, 2 shutouts, 2.55 GAA, .921 SV% in 05-06) whose phenomenal play at last years national championships helped lead the Wolves into the Gold Medal Final and also got the junior named to the All Tournament Team as top goaltender.
The Wolves will look for scoring and strong two-way play from forwards like junior Tobias Whelan (11 goals, 9 assists 05-06), senior Mike Wehrstedt (7 goals, 12 assists 05-06), junior Andrew Brown (10 goals, 8 assists 05-06), sophomore Shandor Alphonso (4 goals, 8 assists 05-06), and Brad Priestlay (4 goals, 10 assists 05-06). Another key player could be fifth year senior forward Murray Magill (4 goals, 16 assists) who is seventh on the Thunderwolves All Time Scoring List. Original pioneer Mark Robinson (11 goals, 13 assists 05-06) will also be back for his final season and his gritt