I agree - Lakehead was probably the one team Western did not want to face in the first round. You are right that they have had trouble - especially lately - scoring at even strength, and the other problem they've had this year don't play well when they are behind.
I've always felt that because Lakehead has traditionally been a strong home team with a big crowd, they have a distinct advantage when they are the lower seed and start at home - at least against Western. Since the Lakehead program returned in 2001, they have played Western 6 times in the playoffs - always as the lower seed so always starting at home. They won that home game 5 out of 6 times and won 4 out of the 6 series.
Agree that's an advantage for us. Unfortunately works against us at times when we are the higher seed too though.
As for the series, whether or not we have any shot at all will come down to if we can get any goaltending. Bosch continually getting these crazy injuries is killing us this season. McDonald just doesnt cut it, at least at this point in his career. The other big loss was losing Ainsworth last week with the broken ankle. Aside from Hammond he has been our best offensive player this season. Our record sucks but there were so many games that could have been won with some goaltending, including those against the top seeded teams.
We got 1 of 4 points vs Windsor but arguably could have won both. Windsor won one by scoring twice with a minute left and then won the other in OT.
We split with Western and then we lost both to Waterloo despite scoring 10 goals against them. That's what happens when you allow 13 goals on 69 shots.
Looking forward to watching the series play out. I was hoping to play Western, not for any strategical reason but just because it's always fun with that rivalry.
