THUNDER BAY – It took the Lakehead Thunderwolves a dozen games last season to earn their first regular-season win.
They didn’t wait nearly that long in 2016-17.
Kelin Ainsworth scored shorthanded with 4:51 to go in regulation on Friday night, taking a feed from Carson Dubchak and crashing into Windsor goalie Blake Richard as the puck floated over top of the incapacitated netminder.
Without hesitation the referee signaled the goal was good, crossing the line before the net lifted off its mooring.
It proved to be the difference in a 4-3 win as the Wolves look to put the disappointment of missing the OUA playoffs last spring in the rear-view mirror.
“Carson made a good pass. I was yelling pretty loud for it and whereabouts to find me and I just carried through the goalie,” said Ainsworth, who only decided over the summer to return for a final season with the Thunderwolves.
“It’s one way to score a goal, I guess. I don’t really remember much of it or how it really went in. But it counted, so we’ll take it.”
Dubchak, who earlier in the contest missed a shorthanded breakaway of his own, finished with a pair of helpers and said it’s good to get a victory in the opener – especially after an 0-4 trek through non-conference play.
“It’s huge,” the fifth-year senior said. “We talked about it before the game and said let’s start off on a different note this year.
“Our first win last year was against these guys, so we kind looked at that and said let’s do it again this year, but let’s make it earlier. We played well, it was a good game.”
The Wolves and Lancers played a scoreless first, but it was Windsor who struck first – and second – in the middle stanza.
Steve Anthony struck first 79 seconds into the period, beating Devin Green. Kyle Haas doubled the lead at the 12:09 mark, firing a wrist shot from just inside the blue-line that Green couldn’t capture.
But the Wolves answered back before period’s end, Devin Fullum netting his first career goal for Lakehead, punching home a second effort on a rebound off Richard’s left pad.
Sam Schutt evened the score with 1:05 to go in the period, powering down the left side and rifling the puck past Richard and the two teams were tied 2-2 after 40 minutes.
Windsor retook the lead on a soft goal early in the third, Justice Dundas firing the puck through Green’s five-hole, the goaltender unable to smother it before it trickled behind him into the net.
Lakehead coach Bill McDonald said he was please with how his team reacted after falling behind a second time.
“I don’t know who got caught up on the boards,” McDonald said. “One of our D, and the guy had a bit of a semi-breakaway. I thought Devin had it stopped, but it found its way into the net. It kind of lets you down for a second, but you’ve got to give our guys credit.”
Dylan Butler potted the equalizer, pouncing on a Jake Ringuette rebound in front of the Windsor net midway through the final stanza.
The two teams will try it again on Saturday night.
Claw marks: Cody Alcock left the game after a hard hit. McDonald said he’s not sure of his status … Sophomore forward Billy Jenkins sat with a high ankle sprain, while defenceman Matt Alexander was out with a wrist injury.
FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: None. Penalties: C. Dubchak LAK (interference) 8:25.
SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Windsor, Anthony 1 (Ness, Dundas) 1:19. 2. Windsor, Haas 1 (Denomme, Beauregard) 12:07. 3. Lakehead, Fullum 1 (Hynnes, Valiquette) 16:14. 4. Lakehead, Schutt 1 (Ringuette, C. Dubchak) 18:55. Penalties: Shepley WSR (boarding) 3:06, Hynnes LAK (cross checking) 5:55,
THIRD PERIOD
Scoring: 5. Windsor, Dundas 1 (unassisted) 4:02. 6. Lakehead, Butler 1 (Ringuette, Sefton) 10:09 pp. 7. Lakehead, Ainsworth 1 (C. Dubchak) 15:09 sh. Penalties: Richard (tripping, served by Feasey) 4:57, Dundas WSR (hit to the head, misconduct) 10:05, Valiquette LAK (high sticking) 14:33.
GAME DATA – SOG – Windsor 5-10-10-25, Lakehead 7-10-7-24; Power plays (goals-chances) – Windsor (0-3), Lakehead (1-3); Goaltenders – Windsor: Blake Richard, Lakehead: Devin Green. A: 2,031.
