THUNDER BAY – There’s no question the Lakehead Thunderwolves are entering their opening round playoff series as the underdogs.
At 13-12-3, the Wolves didn’t even clinch a post-season spot until this past weekend, a 4-3 overtime loss last Friday night to the visiting Waterloo Warriors earning them the single point they needed to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
But unlike most No. 7 seeds, the Wolves aren’t that intimidated by the Ryerson Rams, who finished in second place in the OUA West with a 20-5-3 record.
Lakehead split the season series with the Rams, on the road nonetheless, each team winning a 3-2 decision.
High-scoring forward Tomas Soustal said the OUA men’s hockey circuit is so tight that any team can beat any other team on any given night.
“What it’s going to come down to is who wants to work harder,” said Soustal, who finished his sophomore season with 14 goals and 32 points, second on the team in both categories.
“I think that’s what the playoffs are all about. Even last year, looking at the standings, teams who barely made it to the playoffs or just squeezed in beat out the top teams and Guelph went on to win the whole thing. Obviously we’re the underdog, but I think we play even harder if we’re the underdogs.”
Second-year forward Jordan King, who had 22 points in 26 appearances, said the Rams will be a tough test, but one they’re familiar with.
“Honestly, I like the match-up we have right now. Obviously, being the underdog it’s easier to get up for it. It’s more exciting, right? I’m excited to play Wednesday and get things going,” King said.
“It’s going to come down to who is the harder working team, outworking them, playing the right way and keeping it simple.”
The Wolves will be missing two key players.
Brett Wolframe will be on the sidelines, as will starting goaltender Nic Renyard, who has missed the past three games and remains doubtful for the entire opening round.
Aiken performed admirable in Saturday’s 3-1 regular-season finale, allowing one goal on 34 shots against the Warriors.
Soustal said it really doesn’t matter who’s in net, as long as he gets help from his teammates.
“We expect our goalies to be as good as we are,” Soustal said. “We are happy if he makes some saves, but it comes down to how we play as a team. If we defend well, keep the shots to the outside, he’ll get those.
“We just can’t give too many breakaways or 3-on-1s.”
Dougie Newhouse, Aiken’s former Thunder Bay North Stars teammate, will serve as back-up.
Coach Andrew Wilkins said it’s all about discipline. The Rams have plenty of high rollers up front, which will take effort to stop.
“You need to minimize their chances, stay out of the box and execute our game plan,” Wilkins said.
“You have to manage them off the rush and I think if we can play the way we did against them earlier in the year, we definitely have some confidence from those results ... and it will give us a good opportunity to win.”
Game 1 puck drop is 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Fort William Gardens. Games 2 and 3 go Friday and Saturday night in Toronto.
