If there are any Lakehead Thunderwolves parents in town, the players would appreciate it if you put any Sunday dinner plans on hold.
They plan to be otherwise occupied.
The Wolves, hosts of the Cavendish University Cup for a second straight year, have found their offense after struggling to score a year ago and have every intention of being in Sunday’s championship game.
"Our goal is to play on Sunday. Last year our offence kind of got stalled coming into the tournament. I think with the guys that we’ve got in the room, that won’t be a problem this year," said Brock McPherson, who led the team in scoring through the first half, when injuries sent him to the sidelines for most of the second half.
To accomplish that goal, things will have to change, said fourth-year captain Jordan Smith, one of 18 Thunderwolves back for a second kick at the championship can.
"I think this time around we’ve got to focus on our game as opposed to maybe what other teams are doing," Smith said. "Our focus all week and last week has been the forecheck. We feel that’s the key to our success. When we’re executing our forecheck well, that’s when we’re at our best."
The Wolves are playing in what some have termed the pool of death, faced with the prospect of having to beat No. 1 seed Alberta and No. 6 seed UQTR, a team ranked in the top three in Canada for most of the season.
Smith said he wouldn’t have it any other way.
"This is the pool we wanted to be in. Personally I want to play Alberta, and obviously I want to play UQTR. Again, I think it’s anybody’s tournament. All six teams have a great chance to win, and all six teams deserve to be here," the Sault Ste. Marie native said as Tuesday’s practice closed.
McPherson said this is what the team has been waiting for all season long. They accomplished their first goal, earning their way through the front door into the tournament, but that’s only the first step.
"We came up a couple of goals short in the Queen’s Cup, but we had a pretty successful season. We showed that we can win in the playoffs and win in this arena. That’s what we’re looking to do come Friday."
The real uncertainty in play is just who their opponent will be on Friday. The Wolves, who plan to continue with rookie Alex Dupuis in net, will play the loser of Thursday’s Alberta-UQTR tilt in the evening game.
LU coach Joel Scherban, who added firepower to his lineup at Christmas in Matt Caria, Matt Dias and Ryan MacDonald, said it matters not to him who they face. What does matter is how the team comes out after a two-week layoff.
"I thought against McGill in the first 30 minutes of the game we had nine or 10 great scoring opportunities that we didn’t score on. Hopefully in this tournament we’ll be able to get the bounces and the offense that we should have will be there," Scherban said.
"I’ve watched both Alberta and Trois Rivieres about three games on tape now. I think we know them fairly well. I’m sure they’ll have some adjustments and things we’re not expecting when they come into the tournament, but we get Thursday to watch those two teams and further prepare ourselves."
