THUNDER BAY – SPORTS – The Lakehead Thunderwolves took on the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks at the Fort William Gardens Friday night.
The opening minutes of the first period saw free-wheeling end-to-end play. The Ridgebacks are appearing to be a powerful opponent for the TWolves tonight.
Devin Green was tested early with a powerful slapshot that hit a defenseman’s stick and then took a real effort to make the save.
At 17:04 after a hard scramble in front of the Ridgeback’s net, Brennan Dubchak scored. Assisting on the first goal was Carson Dubchak. It was Dubchak’s fifth goal of the season.
With seven seconds left in the first period the TWolves headed onto the power play after Ontario Tech’s Nate Mitton was caught with a high stick.
Shots on Goal: Thunderwolves 10 – Ridgebacks 7.
The Ridgebacks changed goaltenders after the first period. Tyson Teichmann struggled off the ice after the first period, and the goal by Brennan Dubchak. Replacing him in net is Brendan O’Neil.
Devin Green at 16:30 made a spectacular save robbing Connor Jarvis of what the Ridgeback will likely have nightmares about missing the scoring opportunity.
However a minute later at 16:14 after a long scramble with a lot of shots peppering Green, the Ridgeback finally put one behind the Thunderwolve’s netminder. Redeeming himself, Connor Jarvis got the goal to tie the score at a pair each.
Through the second half of the second frame, Green has kept the Wolves in the game. If not for his stand up strong goaltending this game could easily of got out of hand in a hurry.
The second period ended with emotions running high and the referees assigning penalties.
Scored after two periods tied 1-1.
Total Shots on Net – Thunderwolves 15 – Ridgebacks 25
The Wolves started the third period short-handed after a roughing call following the end of the second period. Showing a lot of maturity the team killed off the penalty.
The TWolves flirted with penalties through the first seven minutes of the third period. However the penalty killing units kept the Ridgebacks off the score sheet.
Inspired and determined play by the Wolves gave the team several very strong opportunities. The Wolves continued pressing hard on the Ridgebacks.
The Ridgebacks pulled ahead with a goal by Jack Patterson assisted by Jake Logan.
Logan scored on the break-away following a hard pressed attack by the Wolves.
The Ridgebacks went on the power play after Dylan Butler was called for tripping on what fans insisted with their jeers was a very questionable call by the official.
The Wolves kept pressing. Kelin Ainsworth capitalized on the hard work putting the tying goal in the net on a sweeping run in front of Brennan O’Neil.
The Wolves Fans rallied hard and loud following what again they felt was a questionable call on Justin Sefton for high sticking.
The game headed to Overtime following a solid effort by both teams.
Through the five minutes of four on four action, the TWolves almost put the game away as Cody Alcock rang a shot off the crossbar with twenty seconds left.
The game however ended seconds later at Mie Robinson slide the puck under Devon Green with 2.5 seconds left in the overtime.
Final Score 3-2 after an exciting game.
Three Stars:
1. Devon Green
2. Mike Robinson
3. Kelin Ainsworth
Attendance Announced at 2257
