THUNDER BAY, Ont. - The Lakehead Thunderwolves scored two late third period goals en route to a 3-0 shutout over the UOIT men's hockey team in the first half of their two-game weekend series.
 
Game two will go on Saturday night at Fort William Gardens at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on OUA.tv.
 
Making his Thunderwolves debut, UMASS (Amherst) transfer Nic Reynard of Victoria, B.C. was unbeatable as he posted a shutout in Lakehead's first exhibition game of the season.
 
At the other end of the ice, Brendan O'Neill (Ilderton, Ont.) also looked impressive as the fourth-year netminder made several highlight reel saves to keep the Ridgebacks within striking distance the entire night.
 
Daniel Del Paggio, who also suited up for Lakehead for the first time, opened up scoring midway through the second period.

The game remained that way until late in the third period when fourth-year forward and Thunder Bay native Dylan Butler scored on a 5-on-3 power play. Brennan Dubchak put the game to rest with two minutes to go scoring a breakaway goal.
 
Things got physical in the second period with Loren Ulett (Port Perry, Ont.) and Kyle Locke (Aurora, Ont.) throwing their weight around with some big hits while the Thunderwolves took exception. The tension between the two teams carried on throughout the rest of the night, which sets up for an interesting rematch on Saturday.
 
UOIT is 1-2-0 to start non-conference play while Lakehead is 1-0-0. Friday's match between the two teams was the first time the programs squared off in a non-conference game.
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE RIDGEBACKS
Overall Record: 1-2-0
Conference Record: 0-0-0
 
Next Game: Saturday, Sept. 30 @ Lakehead (7 p.m.)