Nathan Bruyere’s go-ahead goal with 15 seconds left in the second period stood up and pushed the Lakehead Thunderwolves into the OUA hockey playoffs for a 14th straight season.
The Wolves, in a must-win situation in their final game of the 2014-15 campaign, outlasted the Laurier Golden Hawks 3-2 on Saturday night to clinch the post-season berth.
Mike Quesnele and Carson Dubchak also scored for Lakehead, who finished 10-14-3, their first sub-.500 season in team history.
Tyler Stothers and Derek Schoenmakers scored for Laurier, who missed the playoffs with the loss.
With Brock's 9-6 loss to Windsor on Saturday night, Lakehead finished seventh in the OUA West and will meet long-time rival Western in the opening round of the playoffs.