THUNDER BAY -- Facing a lengthy losing streak the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team knew a big performance would be required to get back on track.
And with a decisive victory under their belt, the Thunderwolves are hoping for calmer seas ahead.
Lakehead scored seven straight goals to start the game en route to a commanding 8-1 victory over the Brock Badgers at the Fort William Gardens on Saturday, snapping a five-game losing skid.
“I think anytime you have a losing streak and you break it, it feels good,” defenceman Jay Gilbert said. “Obviously the mindset in the dressing room and everybody’s attitude is a lot better now to get that monkey off the back and start putting some wins together.”
Senior forward Mike Hammond led the way with a goal and four helpers, while Gilbert contributed a goal and three assists from the back end.
Lakehead bench boss Bill McDonald was pleased to see a more polished effort, especially after such a rough stretch of late.
“I think our energy level right from the get go was really good. We showed some speed from all four lines. We got a couple early and it seemed like the confidence seemed to build as the game went on,” McDonald said.
“A performance like that can help to bring the confidence back.”
After a first period where the Thunderwolves buzzed relentlessly around the Brock net, it was a fluke shot that opened the floodgates.
Rookie forward Nathan Cull netted his first in a Lakehead jersey when he spun in the slot and snuck a shot through traffic and past Brock netminder Adrian Volpe.
That lead multiplied over the next six minutes, with Kelin Ainsworth, Ryan Magill and Gilbert each subsequently finding the back of the net to put Lakehead up 4-0 through one.
The Thunderwolves kept their foot on the accelerator in the second, with Hammond striking just 86 seconds into the frame to resume the onslaught.
Goals by Carson Dubchak and Keith Grondin later in the period chased Volpe from the frame with Lakehead leading 7-0.
The Thunderwolves finished with eight different players finding the back of the net for a balanced effort.
“The eight goals are going to help guys with confidence, especially getting goals from guys all down the lineup,” Hammond said.
“I think we were forcing plays a bit more (Friday). This time we just kept it simple and stuck to the game plan, chipping in on their defence and creating a cycle. We have small, fast forwards so that plays to our advantage.”
Brock forward Dylan MacEachern broke the shutout bid of Lakehead goaltender Justin McDonald in the third.
McDonald finished the contest with 36 saves to pick up his fourth win of the season.
A besieged group of blueliners, reduced to only four healthy regulars after a number of injuries, held strong in their second test. Once again forwards Trevor Hynnes and Jake Carrick moved back and filled in at the point.
With no guarantees that any of Mitch Fillman, Nathan Bruyere or Andrew Tessier will be back in the lineup, they might find themselves back there for more than just this weekend.
“I felt great back there towards the end,” Hynnes said. “I really don’t care where I play. I’ll play wherever.”
Claw marks: Lakehead improves to 25-9-2 all-time against Brock and ends a streak of three straight losses against the Badgers dating back to last season…With the five point effort Hammond sits second in the OUA in points with 24, one point back of Spencer Pommels from Windsor…The Wolves host the defending OUA East division champion McGill Redmen on Saturday.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Lakehead, Cull 1 (D. Quesnele, Hynnes) 13:16. 2. Lakehead, Ainsworth 6 (Gilbert) 14:37. 3. Lakehead, Magill 3 (Gilbert, Hammond) 18:44. 4. Lakehead, Gilbert 3 (Hammond, Grondin) 19:24. Penalties: M. Quesnele LAK (boarding) 6:27; Cull LAK (roughing) 10:54; Turcotte BRK (roughing), MacEachern BRK (goaltender interference), Carrick LAK (roughing) 15:27.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 5. Lakehead, Hammond 8 (Gilbert) 1:26. 6. Lakehead, C. Dubchak 3 (Faust, Maw) 2:34. 7. Lakehead, Grondin 6 (Magill, Hammond) 13:46. Penalties: MacEachern BRK (high-sticking) 13:57; K. Geldart BRK (slashing) 16:41; K. Geldart BRK (roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct, misconduct), M. Quesnele LAK (roughing) C. Dubchak LAK (misconduct) 19:21.
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 8. Brock, MacEachern 2 (Radjenovic, Turcotte) 4:11. 9. Lakehead, B. Dubchak 3 (Hammond) 5:34; Penalties: Hynnes LAK (interference) 10:24; MacEachern BRK (high-sticking) 13:08; Dallman BRK (unsportsmanlike conduct), D. Quesnele LAK (unsportsmanlike conduct) 19:48.
GAME DATA – SOG – Brock (12-10-15-37), Lakehead (15-16-11-42); Power plays (goals-chances) – Brock (0-3), Lakehead (0-5); Goaltenders – Brock: Adrian Volpe (27 shots, 20 saves), Clint Windsor (15 shots, 14 saves); Lakehead: Justin McDonald (37 shots, 36 saves); A: 2,207.
