The University of Windsor Lancers men's hockey team earned a 5–2 home victory over the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Friday (Feb. 6) night at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex, shaking off an early deficit with a dominant final forty minutes to take control of the contest and give themselves sole possession of first place in the OUA West. After trailing by two goals in the opening period, Windsor responded with a goal in the second and erupted for four unanswered tallies in the third to seal the win.
STATS
Windsor held a significant edge in shots, outshooting Lakehead 39–27. Lancer goaltender Max Donoso was steady after the opening frame, stopping 25 of 27 shots to earn the victory. Lakehead netminder Carson Cherepak faced heavy pressure throughout the night, making 34 saves on 38 shots before an empty-net goal capped the scoring.
Offensively, the Lancers were led by Colton Smith, whose hat trick gives him the OUA goal-scoring lead with 19 on the season. The rookie forward has nine goals in his last four games. Cayden Faust finished with a goal and an assist, while Dylan Schives added a third-period marker. Logan Linklater, Matt McNamara, Brad Fraser, and Ty Toews all chipped in with multi-assist performances.
GAME FLOW
Lakehead struck first in the opening period, scoring twice in the first eight minutes to grab an early 2–0 lead. Olivier Pouliot opened the scoring before Malte Hasselgren doubled the advantage less than three minutes later. Despite carrying much of the play and outshooting the Thunderwolves 18–8 in the period, Windsor went into the first intermission trailing by two.
The Lancers found their breakthrough in the second period. Cayden Faust cut the deficit in half at 8:18, finishing a play created by Bradley Fraser to make it a 2–1 game. Windsor continued to push the pace but was unable to find the equalizer before the end of the frame.
Windsor took over completely in the third period, starting as Colton Smith fired home the tying goal just over two minutes in. Smith struck again less than three minutes later to give the Lancers their first lead of the night. Dylan Schives extended the advantage at 7:24, capitalizing on a setup from Faust and Ty Toews. Lakehead pressed late with the net empty, but Smith completed his hat trick with an empty-net goal to secure the 5–2 win.
UP NEXT
The Lancers will look to carry this momentum into tomorrow on home ice again to take on Toronto Varsity Blues for senior night, marking their final home game of the regular season. All graduating players will be honoured before puck drop, which is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex. Tickets are available at golancers.ca/tickets and the game can be streamed online via oua.tv.
