Wolves tame Lions

Luke Judson isn’t sure how long his hot streak is going to last, but he plans to ride it for as long as he can.

The Lakehead Thunderwolves rookie had a goal and two assists in Friday night’s 7-3 in over the highly touted York Lions and Judson now owns a share of top spot in the OUA scoring parade with four goals and eight points in three games.

“I’ve been lucky. A few of them probably wouldn’t go in all the time for me, so I’ll ride it while it’s high and battle through the lows too,” said Judson, a graduate of the Ontario Hockey League’s Belleville Bulls.

“I’ll just say it’s luck for now and just try to keep on riding it. My linemates have been good to me. They’re finding me out there and we’re finding each other.”

LU coach Joel Scherban said the Emo, Ont. native is a perfect fit alongside Matt Caria and Mike Hammond on the Wolves top line.

“He’s a pretty simple player. He goes to the net, he’s got good hands and can score goals. He did that in junior and he’s not really a player who demands the puck a lot,” said Scherban, who has his team on a roll with three straight wins to start regular season play.
“Caria and Hammond both demand the puck a fair bit and he just makes smart decisions around them and is reading off them pretty well – and the line is really clicking.”

Judson wasn’t the only one displaying an offensive touch against Lions goalie Andrew Perugini, a former pro who spent two seasons in the ECHL, coupled with short stints in both Italy and the American Hockey League.

Hammond, who blasted home a Caria shot off the post to wrap up the scoring in the third, had a goal and two assists, as did sophomore Thomas Frazee. Rookie Carson Dubchak had a goal and a helper and has three goals in three games.

“I thought everyone on our team played pretty well. We were able to roll four lines all game and they all contributed in different ways. Obviously with Hammond, Caria and Judson we expect offence from them,” Scherban said.

“Our power play is clicking pretty well with them and they’re offensive guys. We keep getting on them. We want them to be responsible all over the ice and they’re working hard to do that.”

The win looked like it might be a costly one, when Alex Dupuis left late in the second, appearing to have been injured when York’s Chad Hohmann crashed the net on the Lions second goal. Scherban said afterward it was just cramping, adding his No. 1 goalie should be good to go in Saturday’s rematch at Fort William Gardens.

Scherban also added he’s in the process of vetting an unnamed third-string goalie currently attending Lakehead, but won’t divulge who he is until he’s cleared to play.

Judson and MacKenzie Micks traded first period goals, with Andrew Wilkins giving the Wolves the lead for good just 31 seconds into the second, a capping pretty three-way passing play on the backhand, a play started by captain Adam Sergerie and aided by Dubchak.

Keith Grondin, Frazee, and Trevor Gamache also scored in the second for the Thunderwolves, with Hammond and Dubchak coming through in the third.

Jesse Messier potted York’s third and final goal, a deflection that beat Jeff Bosch at the 13:50 mark.

Claw marks: On the sidelines Friday were defencemen Jay Gilbert and Mitch Fillman (concussion) and Danick Malouin. Forwards Jason Grecica and Victor Anilane also sat this one out ... Bosch stopped six of seven shots he faced in a relief effort ... The Wolves were 2-5 on the power play and a perfect 5-5 in penalty kill situations, including a 1:48 two-man disadvantage in the third.
 

FIRST PERIOD
Scoring: 1. Lakehead, Judson 4 (Caria, Hammond) 1:26 pp. 2. York, Micks1 (unassisted) 18:52. Penalties: Barrs YRK (unsportsmanlike conduct) 0:22, Grondin LAK (double minor, spearing) 3:07.

SECOND PERIOD
Scoring: 3. Lakehead, Wilkins 1 (Dubchak, Sergerie) 0:31. 4. Lakehead, Grondin 2 (Frazee, Caria) 5:02. 5. Lakehead, Frazee 2 (Judson, Hammond) 15:48 pp. 6. York, Hohmann 1 (Santin) 17:44. 7. Lakehead, Gamache 2 (Frazee) 19:31. Penalties: De La Lande LAK (unsportsmanlike conduct) 1:20, Hohmann YRK (cross checking) 11:44, Messier YRK (kneeing) 14:53.

Third period
Scoring: 8. Lakehead, Messier 1 (DeGray, Lombardi) 13:10. 9. Lakehead, Hammond (Caria, Judson) 16:07. 10. Lakehead, Dubchak 3 (De la Lande) 19:40. Penalties: Quesnele LAK (interference) 1:13. Sohor YRK (holding the stick) 1:47, Caria LAK (tripping) 8:18, DeLory LAK (cross checking) 8:30, Messier YRK (slashing) 17:07.

GAME DATA – SOG – York 5-5-7-17, Lakehead 6-14-10-30; Power plays (goals-chances) – York (0-5), Lakehehead (2-5); Goaltenders – York: Andrew Perugini, Lakehead: Alex Dupuis (10 shots, eight saves), Jeff Bosch (17:44 second); A: 3,153.