THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns ran past the Lakehead University Thunderwolves 4-2 in hockey action at the Fort William Gardens on Friday night.
The Pronghorns were led by a pair of goals by Brandon Clowes who is one of the teams top snipers from last season.
As the game entered the third period it seemed that the visitors had a little more gas in the tank than the Twolves. That led to increased frustration from the Wolves and generated a flurry of penalties including roughing, along with several fights.
A fight in the third period started after #8 Billy Jenkins, the Thunderwolves’ top scorer last season went down with an apparent leg injury. In tonight’s contest Jenkins had one assist. His status for Saturday night’s rematch is uncertain.
The T-wolves took the lead with 2:42 left in the first period with a very pretty goal scored by #22 Brennen Dubchak, and assisted by #23 E. J. Faust.
The second frame got off to a fast start, the Pronghorns capitalized with a goal to tie the game. #13 Mitchell Maxwell beat Devin Green putting the puck over the T-Wolves net minder’s stick.
At 14:35 T-Wolves took the lead on a power play goal.
At 12:08 #18 Brandon Clowes for the Pronghorns lofted the puck past the Devin Green in the Lakehead net to tie the game at a pair.
With under under a minute left in the second period, the Pronghorns took the lead on a snappy goal by #21 Torrin White, and assisted by #2 Tyler Hansen. That put the Pronghorns into the lead.
The period ended with tempers flaring. With 2.7 seconds left the game was paused as fights took over play.
Shots on goal after Two are tied at 23 a side.
The Pronghorns went on the power play after a questionable high sticking called on T-Wolves #27 Linden Springer, at the halfway mark of the third period.
#18 Brandon Clowes notched his second marker for the Pronghorns with a sharp slapshot that slammed past Devin Green taking a 4-2 lead at18:24.
As the game kept rolling, the Pronghorns seem to have a little more gas in their tanks than the Wolves. Part of this could be the westerners are coming from an altitude of 900 metres, and coming down to Thunder Bay at 160 metres, there is a training advantage.
Tempers flared with 10:23 left in the third period. Three fights broke out as the T-Wolves were defending in their end.
With 1:21 left more fists flew in the game setting up a pretty rough and ready showdown for Saturday night.
The T-Wolves have a job ahead of them to regroup for Saturday nights rematch at the Fort William Gardens.
Final Shots on net were 34 -25 favouring the Lethbridge Pronghorns.
