THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – Lakehead will have its first road test of 2018 when the Thunderwolves take on the York Lions at the Canlan Ice Sports Arena beginning at 7:00 on Friday night. The Wolves will then travel to Guelph for a tussle with the Gryphons on Saturday night, with the opening face-off set for 7:30.
The Matchups
Lakehead: 8-8-1 OUA (6th place West Division), 11-11-1 overall
York: 11-7-1 OUA (4th place West Division), 14-8-1 overall
Guelph: 13-4-1 OUA (1st place West Division), 16-6-2 overall
Recent Results
The Thunderwolves started off 2018 on a winning note, sweeping the Windsor Lancers at home last weekend. After taking the Lancers down 3-1 on Friday, the Wolves came from behind twice on Saturday to win a 5-4 overtime thriller.
The York Lions started off 2018 on the wrong paw, losing 4-2 at home to Brock on Friday before falling to last-place Toronto 5-3 on Sunday afternoon.
The Guelph Gryphons continued to roll, collecting a pair of wins to begin the second half of the OUA season by blanking Toronto 2-0 at home on Thursday, and then edging Brock 2-1 in St. Catharines on Saturday night.
Series History
Lakehead holds the edge in the all-time series over both of its opponents this weekend with a record of 34-12-2 vs. Guelph and 34-20-0 vs. York.
The Wolves dropped their first game at York this season, a 3-1 road loss in mid-November.
Lakehead split the Christmas Challenge series with Guelph at the Fort William Gardens two weeks ago, narrowly losing the first game 3-2 in overtime. The Wolves responded with a solid performance and a 4-2 victory the following evening.
Top Line Producing
Lakehead’s top line of Dylan Butler, Scott Gall and Brennen Dubchak continues to produce as the trio is 1-2-3 in team scoring.
The Last Line of Defense
The Wolves goaltending tandem of Devin Green and Nic Renyard is among the best in the OUA and both have posted impressive numbers this season. Green has a 2.25 GAA and a .924 SV%, while Renyard’s GAA is 2.54 with a SV% of .928.
