Chronicle Journal - Stories -

Opinion Poll
A wind farm is proposed for the Nor‘Wester range south of Thunder Bay. What‘s your view on the proposal:
	In favour — green energy is the way to go
	No way, not in our backyard
	Well, it might spur much needed economic development
	Don't know — I hear many conflicting claims

More Links	tbayjobline	TbayWeddings	Play Games!	^New! eVents Calendar	Advertise with Us	Contact Us

Other Links	Movie Times	Airport	Bus Schedule	Road Conditions	Library	Weather

Thunderwolves shine in win over Mustangs
By Reuben Villagracia
Saturday, February 14, 2009

Email this article
Send a Letter to the Editor
Printer friendly page

The Lakehead Thunderwolves finally resembled a team hungry for a jump-start before the playoffs.
A physical defensive presence was supported by long-lost goals Friday night as the Thunderwolves snapped a five-game losing skid with a 5-1 win over the Western Mustangs at Fort William Gardens.
Lakehead‘s chances of earning the home ice advantage in the remain alive. They‘ll need another win over the Mustangs tonight coupled with a Waterloo Warriors‘ loss in Windsor. Either way, they‘ll open the best-of-three OUA West quarter-final against the Warriors on Wednesday.
Destination Thunder Bay or Kitchener still to be decided.
“Our back was against the wall tonight,” said Thunderwolves coach Don McKee. “We either won or we were (fifth). Right now we‘ve got a chance and good things can happen.”
Scott Dobben scored twice and Arron Alphonso, Brock McPherson, with his team-leading 18th, and Mark Soares added singles for the Thunderwolves (17-8-2). Winning goalie Chris Whitley wasn‘t tested often but held off the Mustangs with 31 saves and was six minutes away from a shutout. Kris Hogg and Drew Kivell added two assists each.
“We want to get on a roll like we were on before,” said defenceman Mitch Maunu, who and had one assist and played the role of bruiser alongside Jordan Smith and Kivell. “Just to get the confidence back up for our team. Everybody was kind of down. We just lost five in a row. We needed to get that boost and have fun again.
“Everybody played to their strengths today with guys putting the puck in the net and guys grinding it out.”
Jason Furlong replied for Western, which lost for the just the second time in its past 15 games.
The Thunderwolves were intent on sending a message to the Mustangs, who had secured the third-seed in the playoffs on Thursday, early on. Smith and Kivell delivered consecutive hits and Whitley made his first big stop on Aaron Snow during Western‘s first powerplay.
Speed burned the visitors on the Thunderwolves‘ first two goals. Alphonso found another gear at centre ice to close in on Mustangs goalie Brad Topping, fan on his first attempt before tucking the puck under him.
Dobben‘s highlight reel goal also started at centre ice on an innocent-looking play. He dodged two Western defenders before going to his backhand while falling forward to beat Topping.
“If our elite players don‘t play elite, then our players struggle,” said McKee, who all but called out snipers like Dobben and Soares, who was reunited with McPherson and Speer.
A Western five-on-three powerplay midway through the second period saw the Thunderwolves strike again.
Mustangs defenceman Jason Swit botched his point pass and tripped as McPherson collected the puck and churned up ice.
Topping hugged the post, but couldn‘t get on top of McPherson‘s harmless shot.
Dobben added his second of the game to extend the lead to four. Furlong and Soares exchanged goals in the third period – the only frame in which the Mustangs hit double-digits in shots.

Dog Tags: Every Thunderwolves scratch on Friday was due to injury or illness – Tobias Whelan (leg), Shandor Alphonso (shoulder), Ryan Baird (flu), Matt Maisonneuve (concussion) and Pierre-Marc Guilbault (foot). . . . Former Lakehead defenceman Tyler Williamson won the 50-50 draw Friday worth over $1,000. . . . Western forward Sean Courtney injured himself on a missed check in the third period and did not return.
Top of Page

Games!
Canadian Crossword
PlayFour!
Word Roundup