Hawks split weekend with Lakehead

The Wilfrid Laurier University’s men’s hockey team welcomed the nationally eighth-ranked Lakehead Thunderwolves this weekend for a two-game set.

The Thunderwolves (7-3-0), led by Ontario University Athletics’ leading scorer Matt Caria would provide a tough test for the Hawks, who were fresh off their first win of the year against Waterloo.

On Friday night, the Hawks (2-6-0) could not muster any offence and would fall to Lakehead 3-1.

The Hawks played a tight defensive game, giving up few chances through the first period. The game would shift though, when tied 0-0 in the second, the Hawks would take two minor penalties and go down five men to three.

Lakehead would score 41 seconds apart, when Adam Sergerie and Ryan McDonald would both score on cross crease feeds.

Still trailing 2-0 in the third period, the Golden Hawks had their opportunities to get back in the game. Lakehead took numerous penalties in the final frame, but the Hawks couldn’t capitalize.

Lakehead would score shorthanded after a Caria shot would take a fortuitous bounce off the glass behind the net and give Sergerie his second of the night.

The Hawks would end Alex Dupuis’ shutout bid with over a minute left on a goal by Zackory Ray, but it was too little to late.

“We faced a good team. They gave us a chance to win with their play and we didn’t capitalize on it,” said Laurier defenceman Chad Lowry following the loss.
“They got some good guys on the team that can put the puck in the net [as] evident by their record, but that’s still not an excuse for what we did tonight.”

Lakehead would outshoot Laurier 35-16 in the loss.

“I think that’s all based on effort, there’s no secret potion that’s going to create more shots for us,” said head coach Greg Puhalski. “You have to be able to work for your chances, and create your own bounces. And we didn’t do that tonight and that’s why we didn’t create too many scoring chances.”

The following night, the Hawks would get their revenge, taking a 3-2 victory over the Thunderwolves.

Laurier would gain a lead it would never relinquish on a first period goal by Thomas Middup. Laurier extended its lead in the second with a goal by James Marsden.

Lakehead would draw closer with a power play goal by Trevor Gamache. But in the third Mitch Lebar would put the Hawks up 3-1 and they would hang on for the win from there.

Jonathan Veerman, Mitchell Good and Zackory Ray had assists in the win. Ryan Daniels would earn Laurier’s athlete of the week honours after stopping 45 of 47 shots in the win (77 of 82 for the weekend).

The men return to action Thursday night against the Brock Badgers. The game is at 7:30 at the Waterloo Memorial Recreational Complex.