The Lakehead University Thunderwolves host the McGill University Redmen for the first time everas a two game non-conference seriesbegins Friday and Saturdayin the noisy confines of Fort William Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Lakehead is 2-1thus far this season in non-conference action, coming off a 4-0 win over McGill in Montreal, a 6-2 win against Ottawa and a 6-3 loss to UQTR last weekend during the Wolves three game swing through the OUA Far East.
There were a lot of positive signs during that tour, including great offense from veterans like Chris Shaffer, Robert Hillier, and Jounni Kuokkanen as well as strong performances from rookies Tobias Whelan, Chris Whitley, and Drew Kivell.
Head Coach Pete Belliveau said his team is ready for the Redmen. We are looking forward to playing McGill again, and for the first time in Thunder Bay. They are a fast skating team who like to fore-check very aggressively all over the ice. This series will give our fans a great weekend of hockey and this will also serve us well in finalizing our players roles for the 04/05 edition of the Thunderwolves.
McGill Redmen
The Redmen arrive in Thunder Bay with a 0-1 record. The oldest hockey team in the world enters its 129th season looking to improve upon last seasons results in the fierce OUA Far East Division. McGill went 9-9-4-2 in regular season play (10-14-5 overall) and finished out of the playoffs last year. The Redmen have won 23 Championships in their previous century and a quarter, including 13 Queens Cups, second only to the Toronto Varsity Blues.
Head Coach Martin Raymond is back for his 10th season and has a strong returning corp like 66 fifth year defensman Daniel Jacob. The huge blueliner can also be seen as one of the players trying out on CBCs hockey reality show, Making The Cut. (Along with Lakeheads Drew Kivell) Coach Raymond is also expecting that former Redmen standout Greg Davis will return for his fifth year of eligibility after spending two seasons in the St. Louis Blues farm system. Another player to watch is 4th year center Doug Orr.
Coach Raymond also has some strong recruits like freshman goaltender Mathieu Poitras who played for Rouyn-Noranda in the QJMHL. Poitras just returned from a strong showing at the Annaheim Mighty Ducks Rookie Camp.
Head Coach Raymond said his team is looking forward to the season and the trip to Lakehead. Were very pleased with our recruiting class and strong corps of returning players. I anticipate an exciting chase in the Queens Cup race. Im also very excited about playing at Lakehead for the first time ever. We anticipate an intense competitive effort in front of a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and supportive crowd up there.
The two teams face off Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort William Gardens. Saturdays game will be part of the John Zanatta Alumni Games and there will be plenty of Lakehead hockey alumni in attendance.