MHKY: Thunderwolves nipped in season-opener

WATERLOO, Ont. -- Allowing a pair of late third-period goals proved costly as the Lakehead Thunderwolves opened the 2014-15 OUA hockey campaign on a losing note.

Jeff Einhorn scored the equalizer midway through the final stanza and two minutes later Mat Kennedy potted the winner, propelling the host Waterloo Warriors to a 6-5 victory.

Kelin Ainsworth led the Wolves with a goal and two assists, while Mike Hammond chipped in three helpers in a losing cause.

The Wolves led 2-1 through 20 minutes, taking the lead with nine seconds to go in the period when Ainsworth slipped the puck past Waterloo goalie Mike Morrison.

The Warriors scored three times in the second to take a 4-3 lead heading into the third, the goals coming from Chris Chapel, Colin Behenna and Justin Larson.

Mike Quesnele had the lone Thunderwolves tally of the frame, a power play marker at the 10:58 mark.

Keith Grondin tied the game two minutes into the third, then less than two minutes later rookie Jake Wright scored his first in a Thunderwolves uniform to give them the lead again.

The Wolves (0-1-0) will take on Laurier on Saturday.

Their home opener is scheduled for next Friday at Fort William Gardens, when they’ll take on the visiting York Lions.