THUNDER BAY -- Lakehead’s rivalry with the Western Mustangs dates back to the team’s earliest days.
In 2001-02, the season that marked the school’s return to OUA hockey, the Wolves stole Game 1 of their second-round playoff series and took the Mustangs to overtime in Game 2, eventually ousted in Game 3 by a team that would eventually go on to claim the University Cup.
The following season the second-year Thunderwolves pulled the upset, paving their way for their first trip to nationals.
Then, On March 6, 2004, the Thunderwolves and Mustangs staged one of the most epic games in OUA hockey history, the two sides battling through three overtimes before Lakehead’s Erik Lodge silenced the Thompson Arena crowd with the series winner in the fourth extra period.
All told, Lakehead and Western have met six times in the post-season, with the Thunderwolves claiming victory in four series – though the Mustangs do hold a commanding overall series lead, the lone OUA West team to boast a winning record against the Thunderwolves.
But it’s been a long five years since the two sides met in the playoffs, long before most present-day Lakehead players donned the blue and gold.
Still, the current crop of Thunderwolves is well-versed in the rivalry.
“I know in my five years I haven’t been too successful against them,” said fifth-year defenceman Mike Quesnele, who arrived in Thunder Bay a season after that 2010 series.
Since then the Wolves have beaten the Mustangs just twice in 11 meetings, their latest a 4-3 overtime triumph to close out the first half of the 2014-15 campaign.
That victory has bolstered the confidence of the seventh-place Thunderwolves, who squeaked into the OUA playoffs at the 11th hour, courtesy of a season-ending 3-2 win Saturday night on the road against the Laurier Golden Hawks.
“We’re excited,” said Quesnele, knowing full-well Wednesday night’s playoff opener at Fort William Gardens could be his final home game in a Thunderwolves uniform.
“We’re going in and we like the challenge, we like the match-up with Western. We know the rivalry is there and we know this building is going to be packed.”
Forward Mike Hammond said it’s always a fun game when the Mustangs land in Thunder Bay.
“I’ve been here for four years now and every game has been a playoff-like game. The first-year guys are going to find that out right away and it’s going to be a tense series.”
The Thunderwolves will likely be without goaltender Jeff Bosch, listed as doubtful after sustaining yet another head injury two weekends ago. They’ll also be without forward Kelin Ainsworth, sidelined up to six weeks with a broken ankle.
Coach Bill Mcdonald said Monday he’s just happy his team is still playing.
“We lived to fight another fight,” McDonald said.
Anything can happen come playoff time, he added.
“Obviously we’re playing a really good opponent here in Western. But we played them before Christmas and we did split with them. It’s a new day, it’s a new game. We’ve got to get ourselves in the right frame of mind here.”
Puck drop for the start of the best-of-three series is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
