It might be a good thing for the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team that the regular season is right around the corner, because the preseason has not gone according to plan.
Lakehead dropped a 7-1 decision on the road to the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs at the AMSOIL Arena on Tuesday, being outshot 53-23 by the Bulldogs in the process.
The loss is the third in as many preseason games for the Thunderwolves after being swept at home this past weekend by the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers.
The Bulldogs, who won the 2011 national championship, jumped out to a 2-0 lead by the end of the first period.
UMD opened the scoring with a rebound goal from Carson Soucy just 3:33 in, and then Justin Crandall doubled the lead just before the end of the frame.
Jake Carrick got Lakehead to within one as he notched a power play marker at 6:18 of the second period, getting helpers from Mitch Fillman and Matt Kaarela.
Jeff Bosch got the start in net for Lakehead, and was relieved halfway through the second period.
The Bulldogs got one past replacement Justin McDonald before the end of the period, as Kyle Osterberg picked up the goal.
The home side put the game on ice early in the third, as Fort France’s Joe Basaraba blasted a shot past McDonald in the opening minute. Dominic Toninato scored twice in the period for UMD, and Austin Farley added a single as the Bulldogs outshot Lakehead by a 19-2 margin in the final period.
Lakehead will open their OUA regular season campaign with a two-game series at home this weekend against the Royal Military College.
