THUNDER BAY – Twelve shots, six goals, game over.
The Lakehead Thunderwolves on Friday night came out firing, scoring a team-record-tying seven goals in the first period, matching a mark originally set in 2009 against the York Lions, and pounded the Guelph Gryphons 9-4 in OUA men’s hockey action at Fort William Gardens.
Spencer Blackwell had a hat trick in the opening period and Ben Badalamenti and Keighan Gerrie scored a pair apiece, as Lakehead moved closer to the inevitable playoff clinch, something that could happen as early as Saturday night. More importantly, they gained ground on front-running Windsor, who fell 2-1 in overtime to Toronto Metropolitan, and jumped into a tie for top spot in the OUA West – though the Lancers do hold two games in hand.
It was the most goals scored by a Thunderwolves team in a single game since they put 10 in the net against Nipissing on Nov. 19, 2010, more than a dozen years ago.
“It’s magical. That was a great start. I think the way that we’re heading right now is awesome, but we’ve got a big one tomorrow,” said Balckwell, upping his season total to 10 goals on the seasons, tops on the LU scoring parade.
“It was a great feeling, but I can’t take all the credit. My linemates were buzzing and everyone was buzzing. It was right place at the right time.”
Coach Andrew Wilkins, who played in the game the last time the Thunderwolves hit double digits, said it was one of those starts every team dreams about.
“It seemed every bounce went our way. We buried our opportunities. I thought our guys were ready to go and played really well. I was definitely happy with that first period,” Wilkins said.
“I thought we started fast and we executed what we wanted to do on the power play. I think four lines were going right away and we were able to roll right through them, so it was great for our momentum to start.”
The anthem singer had barely taken her seat and the T-Wolves (14-5-3) were up 1-0, Ben Badalamenti taking a Kevin Stiles pass from behind the net and one-timing it past Gryphons goaltender Brendan Cregan. Blackwell potted his first of the night at 6:32 of the opening period, picking up the puck on his side of centre and outracing Guelph defender Nathan Allensen to the net. Twenty-one seconds later the onslaught continued, Blackwell firing high while cutting in front of Cregan for a 3-0 LU lead.
Guelph coach Shawn Camp yanked his goaltender at that point, replacing him with Nate McDonald, but it mattered not.
McDonald allowed three goals on the first four shots he faced, and returned to the bench for the remainder of the contest, played before 2,297 fans.
Lakehead can clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2021 with a regulation win over Laurier on Saturday night.
Guelph (6-8-7) finally got on the board three minutes into the second when Zach Poirier beat Christian Cicigoi with a low shot. Ted McGeen and Jaxon Camp also scored for the visitors in the second, Griffen Fox scoring Lakehead’s lone goal of the period at the 13:01 mark.
The Gryphons Jacob Winterton and Lakehead’s Gerrie traded goals in the third.
Claw marks: OUA officiating supervisor Bryan Graham said on-ice officials erred on Jan. 7, when they awarded a penalty shot in the final 14 seconds of Lakehead’s 4-2 win over Toronto after a Thunderwolves defenceman Troy Williams closed his hand on the puck behind the net. Graham said it should have only been a minor penalty for delay of game. Toronto’s Owen Robinson was unsuccessful on the penalty shot, with Lakehead leading 3-2 at the time.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Lakehead, Badalamenti (Stiles, Wojciechowski) 1:21. 2. Lakehead, Blackwell (Van Den Hurk) 6:32. 3. Lakehead, Blackwell (G. Fox) 6:53. 4. Lakehead, Mack 6 (Van Den Hurk, Pouliot) 8:51. 5. Lakehead, Badalamenti 6 (Smith) 13:31 sh. 6. Lakehead, Gerrie 8 (S. Fox, Dempster) 15:41. 7. Lakehead, Blackwell 10 (G. Fox, Smith) 18:37. Penalties: Jette LAK (interference), Poirier GUE, Auger LAK (roughing) 4 :10, Allensen GUE (slashing) 8:23, Williams LAK (holding) 12:22, Penman GUE (cross checking) 17:26, Doyle GUE, Roberts GUE, Williams LAK (roughing), N. Massie LAK (interference) 19:07.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 8. Guelph, Poirier (unassisted) 3:14. 9. Lakehead, G. Fox (Van Unen, Van Den Hurk) 13:01. 10. Guelph, Camp (Poirier, Searles) 18:12 pp. 13. Guelph, McGeen (Tabak, DeGurse) 17:29.Penalties: Poirier GUE (unsportsmanlike conduct) 3:14, Allensen GUE (head contact, misconduct), Wojchiechowski LAK (roughing) 16:11, Auger LAK (roughing) 16:41, N. Massie LAK (interference, roughing) 17:16,
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 11. Guelph, Winterton (Roberts, Wilson) 9:43. 12. Lakehead, Gerrie 9 (S. Fox) 14:49. Penalties: Jette LAK (cross checking), Doyle GUE (roughing) 9:23, Tabak GUE (tripping) 11:26, Bignell GUE (roughing) 12:08.
GAME DATA – SOG – Guelph 10-10-9-29, Lakehead 18-11-9-38; Power plays (goals-chances) – Guelph (0-5), Lakehead (2-6); Goaltenders – Guelph: Brendan Cregan (28 shots, 23 saves), Nate McDonald (6:53 first, 10 shots, 6 saves) Lakehead: Christian Cicigoi; A: 2.297.
