TMU Athletics & Recreation

THUNDER BAY, Ont. - In the first of their three road games against the Lakehead Thunderwolves, the Rams men's hockey team narrowly hung on to an early lead and came out on top by a score of 3-2. Though it certainly wasn't easy, the effort represents a crucial victory for a team just starting to hit their stride.  

Just over a minute into the first period, Kyle Bollers fired the game's first shot over the left shoulder of Lakehead goalie Blake Weyrick, narrowly grazing the post and giving his team the swift lead off a three-on-one chance in which the Rams had the Thunderwolves completely caught. Assisted by Hayden McCool, it was Bollers' second goal in as many games and represented the latest episode in his exciting and productive season.  

Before the end of the period, the speedily discrete Jesse Barwell doubled the Rams' lead with a nifty wrist shot that squeaked through Weyrick, punctuating a dominant period in which the Rams outshot the slouching Thunderwolves 11-8. 

After a zamboni-related delay extended the first intermission, Lakehead made a switch in personnel, swapping Weyrick for Brock Aiken, who was tested seconds into the frame by a surging Steven Harland, who managed a pair of shots in his first shift of the period. The change in net—and the burst of energy caused by it—propelled the Thunderwolves to their first goal, which came thanks to Stephen Fox on a wild scramble in front of Rams goaltender Lucas Peressini five minutes into the middle period. 

Five minutes later, the Rams took advantage of a similarly wild scramble in front of Aiken to push one through and retake their two-goal lead. The game's third goal came courtesy of forward Jeremiah Addison, who'd been kept off the scoresheet during the season's first two tilts. 

With seven minutes remaining in the frame, both teams traded massive hits, leading to rising tensions on both sides and scattered tussles erupting across the ice. After the dust had settled, Lakehead's Troy Williams and the Rams' David Miller were both issued fighting penalties and game misconducts. Luckily, no further chippiness ensued, and the period concluded with only minor interference and slashing penalties being assessed. 

In an early third period goal that Peressini would likely like to have back, the Thunderwolves pulled within one when Lakehead's Kevin Stiles slotted a shot through the Rams' goalie's five hole. Though the Thunderwolves kept the pressure on in the second half of the final period, the Rams managed to kill off a crucial 5-on-3 Lakehead power play to secure the victory. 

After 60 exciting minutes, the Rams were outshot 38-30 but, with much opposition, staved off the voracious Thunderwolves to close things out. 

In less than 24 hours, the Rams and Thunderwolves go at it again for the middle game of their three-game set. As with the first game, the puck drops in Game 2 at 7 p.m.