Ready to roll

Their backs aren’t against the wall this time around, but the Lakehead Thunderwolves intend to play like they are.

The Windsor Lancers have extra incentive to execute a better game plan, facing elimination after dropping a 3-2 decision on Wednesday night in Game 1 of their second-round OUA playoff series, said first-year forward Keith Grondin. They'll be all that much tougher, despite the change in venue to the roomier Fort Wiliam Gardens for Game 2 Friday night.

“Most of the time teams play a little bit better when they’re facing elimination,” said Grondin, whose backhander in overtime netted the Wolves their third straight playoff win and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

“We have a little more momentum coming with us, so I think if we use it toward Friday’s game, I think we’ll be fine, as long as come out and don’t take them too lightly. We can’t ride too high, we can’t ride too low.”

The Wolves would rather spend Saturday night watching their basketball colleagues take on Guelph at the Thunderdrome than fighting through a decisive Game 3, which means the expectations are to get it done Friday night and then start worrying about the Western Mustangs.

“If anything there’s probably more pressure on us now. Usually when you win the first game you want to win the second, especially knowing the other team is going to give it their all because their backs are against the wall,” said Grondin, who scored nine times in the regular season.

“So I think that’s even more pressure for us. We’ve got to elevate our game and continuing going.”

The Lancers play well in their own barn, which leaves less time for decision-making on the ice and things happen much quicker, he added.

That should play to the Thunderewolves advantage in Game 2.

“As far as shots (in Windsor), anything could go in as soon as you step over the blue-line. So if we just play a tight defensive game here, I think our offence will help itself out,” Grondin said.

What the offence won’t have, almost certainly, is power play quarterback Mike Quesnele, whose lack of self-discipline Wednesday night, and a kicking motion at a Lancer player, means he’s facing a two- or three-game suspension.
Coach Joel Scherban said it means a slight adjustment to the lineup, but not the playbook.

“It’s going to carry an automatic suspension, most likely,” said Scherban, who had yet to file the incident with the OUA convenor.

“Obviously we’d love to have him in the lineup, but he’s not, so we’re not even concerned about it, really. We’ll move forward with the guys we have. We’ve had some of our first-year players play really well this year and that will give a chance for Luke Maw to play a little bit more,” Scherban said.

The third-year coach will also swap lanky forward Victor Anilane, who was hurt in Wednesday’s win, for first-line forward Adam Sergerie, who practiced Thursday and said the plan is for him to be in the lineup, a decision Scherban concurred.

Sergerie has missed several games with a concussion.

Claw marks: Should the Wolves win they’ll have two shots at making nationals. The first opportunity would be beating Western or Brock in the OUA West final; a loss would set up a one-game, third-place showdown against the loser of the OUA East final. The league gets the rotating wild card for the six-team national tournament this year ... Asked about Scherban's future with the team, Lakehead athletic director said win or lose, the team's third head coach's job is not on the line.