Thunder Bay, ON – Led by a hat trick from CIS leading scorer Spencer Pommells, the Lancer men's hockey team defeated the Lakehead Thunderwolves 4-3 in game one of the OUA west division semi-finals Wednesday night on the road.
 
With the win, the Lancers take a 1-0 lead in the best of three series, and will return home to South Windsor Arena for game two and three (if necessary). Game two is slated for Saturday night at 7:30pm.
 
This is the second time this season Pommells has registered a hat-trick over the Thunderwolves. In their first meeting this season, the Grande Prairie, AB native scored three in the Lancers 5-4 victory in Thunder Bay.
 
After a scoreless first period, the Lancers lit up the scoreboard with three goals in the second period. Spencer Pommells scored his first of the period on the first shot of the frame, just 1:18 in.
 
Four minutes later rookie Dylan Denomme put the Lancers up by two, before Pommells scored his second less than a minute later to give Windsor a 3-0 lead with 13 minutes remaining in the middle frame.
 
The Thunderwolves would get on the board before the end of the second, giving Windsor a two goal lead heading into the final period.
 
Lakehead made it a one goal game six minutes into the frame before Pommells completed the hat trick midway through the period to restore the Lancer lead.
 
Late in the period with the Lancers in the penalty box, Lakehead pulled goaltender Justin McDonald for a two man, 6-on-4, advantage. The strategy worked as they brought the game within one with 31 seconds on the clock.
 
However, a post goal scrummage landed the hosts in the box as well, and the Lancers held on for the win.
 
Tickets for game two are $10 for adults, $8 for youth/seniors and are available at the door starting at 6:30pm. For those unable to attend, the game can be seen LIVE at www.oua.tv.