THUNDER BAY — The Lakehead Thunderwolves' quest for a second Queen's Cup title in program history will have to wait at least one more season.
A three-goal barrage in the first three minutes of the second period powered the Windsor Lancers to a 4-2 victory over Lakehead in the deciding game of the OUA West Final, in front of a crowd of 3,491 at the Fort William Gardens on Saturday.
Despite the loss, the Thunderwolves remain in contention for their first national championships berth in 13 years, but face a must-win situation in the OUA third-place game next weekend against either UQTR or Concordia.
"It's pretty sad right now for the guys," senior defenceman Kyle Auger said. "It's going to take a while, I think, for this one to subside. But we have to come Monday and practice all week hard.
"We're not done yet."
After a series-extending overtime win the previous night, the Thunderwolves drew first blood in Game 3 between the division's top two teams, who finished level in regular season points.
The home side opened the scoring with 32.8 seconds remaining in the first period, when the puck found its way to Thunderwolves forward Spencer Blackwell in the high slot, where he spun and fired a shot past Windsor goalie Nathan Torchia.
Windsor stormed back during the opening minutes of the second, finding the equalizer just 44 seconds into the frame. The Lancers perfectly executed a two-on-two sequence, with captain Mason Kohn setting up a give-and-go with linemate Anthony Stefano and completing the play by roofing the puck over Lakehead netminder Max Wright.
The Lancers took the lead about 90 seconds later, with a shot from Brady Pataki ringing off the post and ricocheted in the net.
Windsor completed the three-goal outburst when Sean Olson found space in front of the net and quickly unloaded a centring pass past Wright.
"I think we were too comfortable after the first," Auger said. "I think we came out a bit too flat in the second, obviously it cost us with three goals."
Lakehead bench boss Andrew Wilkins continued his approach of alternating goalies, turning back to Wright after Christian Cicigoi only allowed one goal in Friday night's win.
"They've both been great for us. We stuck to what we've been doing all year. It worked for us, and I think Max was fresh and played good for us," Wilkins said, adding he didn't believe Wright had a chance on any of those three second period Windsor goals.
The Thunderwolves pulled one back later in the second, with Friday night overtime hero Griffen Fox squeezing a shot through a crowd and into the net.
The goal restored the buzz and energy in the building, giving Lakehead some momentum, but the Thunderwolves were unable to capitalize on a pair of power play opportunities and the two teams entered the final 20 minutes of regulation with Windsor holding a one-goal advantage.
The Thunderwolves had their best chance to draw level just past the halfway mark of the third, when Tyler Ho had the puck on his stick on the doorstep, but he directed it through the blue paint and out the other side of the crease.
Windsor added a Barrett Dachyshyn empty netter with less than a minute remaining in the third to seal the victory.
"Our guys bounced back, played hard, gave it everything they had. We can hold our heads high," Wilkins said. "We're proud of our group. We're happy with where we're at and what we've accomplished."
Claw marks: Lakehead outshot Windsor by a 28-23 margin...Lakehead went 0-6 on the power play, while Windsor failed to score in their three chances...The Thunderwolves have lost four straight playoff series against Windsor, last prevailing in the first round of the 2002-2003 campaign...Lakehead's most recent trip to the OUA third-place game came in 2014, when they fell 7-4 to the Carleton Ravens...Wilkins said he hopes defenceman Colin Van Den Hurk, who missed both Friday and Saturday's games due to a lower body injury, will be ready for next weekend. He said forward Keighan Gerrie, who left Friday's game with an apparent shoulder injury, is likely out for the rest of the season.
