TORONTO - The Ryerson Rams pulled off a close 3-2 win over the Lakehead Thunderwolves on home ice on Friday night.

Mathew Santos (Toronto) netted the game-winner on the man-advantage. Santos also fed Matt Mistele (Whitby, Ont.) who picked up the opening goal. Cavin Leth (Taber, Alta.) also earned a tally on a sharp shot.

Santos got things going right away after stripping Lakehead of the puck and setting it up for Mistele in the slot. The captain had no trouble firing his fifth of the season through the five-hole on a smooth one-timer.  

About ten minutes later, Cavin Leth sniped one to the top corner right off a faceoff, giving the Rams a 2-0 advantage. Ryerson's celebration was cut short as Lakehead's Josh Laframboise chipped one in less than 30 seconds after Leth's blast. 

Lakehead turned up the heat late in the first, but the frame ended 2-1 for the Rams. The Thunderwolves held a slim 9-8 shot advantage. 

Lakehead's goaltender Nic Renyard kept them in the game early in the second, but after more than doubling their shots, Santos walked in and converted on a powerplay, making it 3-1. 

The Thunderwolves spoiled Ryerson's celebration yet again as Cooper Leitch made it a one-goal game again less than two minutes later. Ryerson carried a 25-17 shot advantage and 3-2 lead into the third.

Both teams traded chances in the third, and a scramble in the dying seconds almost tied things up for Lakehead. Finally, after outshooting Lakehead 36 to 24, the whistle blew and Ryerson came away with a 3-2 win. 

Despite the close win, the Rams have earned themselves a five-game win streak. They take on the Thunderwolves again Saturday night on the second leg of their back-to-back.

"They (Lakehead) came out trapping us and we're going to have to make some adjustments in terms of playing with more speed and playing at a higher pace tomorrow. They're gonna be hungry for those points."

Reigning OUA Athlete of the Week Garrett Forrest (Ashburn, Va.) said, "I think we actually outplayed them today. We should've beat them more than 3-2." When asked on his various honours this week, the netminder said,  "I wouldn't be able to do that without the d(efensive) core that's been in front of me playing really well."

Puck drop is scheduled for Saturday night at 7:15 p.m. and Ryerson students are free with their OneCard.