THUNDER BAY, Ont. - After taking the first of three games in Thunder Bay against the Lakehead Thunderwolves, the Rams men's hockey team fell 2-1 in the middle game of the set, despite outshooting their opponents 42-38. In front of a lively announced crowd of 1667 at Fort William Gardens, the home team prevailed and earned their second victory of the young season.  

Though some of Thursday night's tardiness appeared to carry over in the form of a 7:15 p.m. start time, both teams flew out of the gate with an energetic first shift. Despite an early onslaught of Rams shots, Lakehead managed to take an early lead when Greg Smith jumped on a loose rebound and slapped it past Rams goaltender Garrett Forrest. Before the period's conclusion, the Rams had a handful of chances—including a squandered 3-on-1 chance and a surprisingly promising short-handed opportunity—but couldn't push one through and get on the board.

In the second period, Rams forward Kyle Bollers was thwarted by a truly spectacular save from Lakehead goalie Brock Aiken, who slid rapidly across his crease to rob the Rams of their first goal. Minutes later, the Rams would get their first goal thanks to a magnificent effort from forward Jacob Kamps, who dove to keep the puck in the Lakehead zone and quickly got up to fire the puck past a stunned Aiken for his first goal of the season. 

Before the period's end, Rams blueliner Aaron Hyman stopped the Thunderwolves' Spencer Blackwell on a breakaway, a fantastic defensive play that the game's referees decided warranted a penalty shot. Forrest, though, made a slick blocker save to keep the game knotted at 1-1.

Nearly midway through the third period, Lakehead took the lead thanks to Geoff Dempster, who beat Forrest for his first goal (and point) of the campaign. Ultimately, that would prove to be the difference, as the Rams couldn't mount a comeback, despite a timely chance on the power play halfway through the final frame. 

To finish up their three-game set in Thunder Bay, the Rams and Thunderwolves do battle again on Saturday night at 7 p.m.