THUNDER BAY -- The playoffs start now for the Lakehead Thunderwolves.
With Lakehead entering Friday night’s game against the Guelph Gryphons sitting in the cellar of the 10-team OUA West and playoff dreams beginning to dim, every remaining game is essentially a must win.
The Thunderwolves took care of the first step of the journey, notching a dominating 8-2 victory over Guelph at the Fort Williams.
“It’s just realizing where we’re at and it’s playoffs for us right now,” said senior sniper Mike Hammond, who recorded a pair of goals in the win.
Coach Bill McDonald said a playoff mentality is all about succeeding at the little things, which the team did in this one.
“Every shift, every face off, every puck battle is magnified now and you have to win them,” McDonald said. “I think whoever wins the most of those will end up winning (the game.)”
The win vaults Lakehead (9-13-2) over the Gryphons (8-13-3) and up into a share for seventh spot, which would put them in the playoffs if the regular season were to end today.
The Thunderwolves set the tone right from the opening puck drop, with the starting trio of Hammond, Keith Grondin and Jake Wright jumping on the Gryphons. That set the tone for that line as each would go on to finish the game with three points.
It also sparked momentum through the rest of the lineup as Lakehead controlled the pace and possession through the opening minutes.
That dogged determination was rewarded just 2:38 in as a neutral zone dump in by EJ Faust was deflected off the stick of Gryphons netminder Andrew D’Agostini and into the net.
Lakehead added a second in the period as Hammond got on the board with a power play bullet that eluded D’Agostini.
The Thunderwolves went on to score on each of their first three man advantage opportunities. Combined with a penalty kill that held the Gryphons scoreless, Lakehead decisively won the special teams battle.
“This time of year (special teams) can win and lose you a game,” Hammond said. “I think that’s why we stressed it a lot this week and it paid off.”
Goals came fast and furious in the second period, with the two combining to strike five times in a 4:03 span.
Grondin opened up a 3-0 lead with a power play tally, but that was answered back 20 seconds later by the Gryphons as Robert De Fulviis put the visitors back in the game.
Holding a lead has been a continued struggle this year for the Thunderwolves, but this time they answered the bell with three straight goals to start the rout.
That reply was propelled by the team’s Dubchak connection with older brother Carson scoring twice and Brennan assisting on both.
Brennan Dubchak said their line, which includes Faust, stuck to what they do best.
“We’re not fancy players and I think when we realize that is when we play our best by getting the puck deep and getting wide,” he said. “Getting shots on net is always said to each other during intermission and that’s what we did.”
With Lakehead starting the third leading 6-2, Hammond put the icing on the cake by scoring just 38 seconds in for extra insurance.
Kelin Ainsworth added a shorthanded goal later in the period.
The status of Lakehead starting goaltender Jeff Bosch was in question heading into the series after he suffered a knee injury last weekend but he started and made 37 saves in a steady performance.
The Thunderwolves briefly held their breath in the third period after Guelph’s Kyle Neuber collided with Bosch after the netminder came out to play the puck behind the net.
Bosch was down on the ice as a melee ensued around and on top of him. He ultimately stayed in the game and McDonald he was no worse for wear.
Despite the lopsided nature of the win, the Thunderwolves know they still have their work cut out for them.
“I think all the guys reset their mind already for (Saturday),” Hammond said just minutes after the game ended. “You can’t get too excited. We played well and will take all of the positives out of it, limit our mistakes and work hard.”
Claw marks: The win snaps a four game losing streak…Lakehead improves to 30-7-2 all-time against Guelph…The Wolves wore special jerseys that were auctioned off during the game, with proceeds going towards the Northern Cancer Fund…The two teams face off for a rematch on Saturday at the Fort William Gardens with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Lakehead, Faust 4 (Fillman, B. Dubchak) 2:38. 2. Lakehead, Hammond 13 (Bruyere, Grondin) 6:24 pp. Penalties: Burns GUE (holding) 4:39; Cull LAK (roughing) 8:25;
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 3. Lakehead, Grondin 8 (Wright, Hammond) 6:56 pp. 4. Guelph. De Fulviis (Kopstals, Amestoy) 7:16. 5. Lakehead, C. Dubchak 8 (B. Dubchak, Maw) 8:38. 6. Lakehead, Wright 6 (Bruyere, Fillman) 9:44 pp. 7. Lakehead, C. Dubchak 9 (B. Dubchak, M. Quesnele) 10:59. 8. Guelph, Raycroft (Amestoy,) 13:59. Penalties: Huard GUE (high-sticking) 5:40; Simmonds GUE (interference) 9:20; Swenson GUE (roughing) Huard GUE (spearing), C. Dubchak LAK (roughing), Sefton LAK (roughing) 17:38.
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 9. Lakehead, Hammond 14 (Grondin, Wright) 0:32. 10. Lakehead, Ainsworth (unassisted) 9:48 sh. Penalties: De Fulviis (misconduct), Neber (goaltender interference, roughing, misconduct), M. Quesnele (misconduct) C. Dubchak (roughing, misconduct) 6:34; Grondin LAK (slashing), Carrick LAK (misconduct) 7:50; Ainsworth LAK (roughing) 12:57; Trecapelli GUE (slashing) 13:34; D. Quesnele LAK (slashing) 16:39; De Fulviis GUE (high-sticking) 18:28;
GAME DATA – SOG – Guelph (10-12-17-39), Lakehead (17-14-9-40); Power plays (goals-chances) - Guelph (0-4), Lakehead (3-7); Goaltenders – Guelph: Andrew D’Agostini (19 saves, 24 shots) Keith Hamilton (13 saves, 16 shots), Lakehead: Jeff Bosch (37 saves, 39 shots); A: 2,614.
