WINNIPEG -- It's only the pre-season, but winning ways have to start somewhere.
For the Lakehead Thunderwolves, it was Manitoba.
The T-Wolves knocked off the Manitoba Bisons 6-2 on Friday night and edged the Regina Cougars 6-5 in overtime on Saturday to kick off their 2022-23 non-conference campaign on the road.
Kyle Auger and Joe Mack had three points apiece in Friday's opening night win, while Tyler Ho had a pair of goals and Colin Van Den Hurk netted the winner, firing a high shot from just inside the Regina blueline to secure a second straight victory.
"It was a great opportunity for us to play some Canada West opponents against Manitoba and Regina," Lakehead coach Andrew Wilkins said. "Obviously nice for the group to win both games, but sticking with the process of getting etter as we have a lot fo work ahead of us."
Lakehead heads south of the border this coming weekend to take on Wisconsin and Michigan Tech. They'll take on Guelph on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 at Fort William Gardens in their final pre-season action, opening the regular season on Oct. 14 at Windsor. Their home opener is Oct. 21 against York.