Game Summary

The Warriors found their first win of 2012 in thrilling fashion as they slipped past the Windsor Lancers 3-2 in a shootout on Friday night at the Columbia Icefield Arena in Waterloo. 

Windsor's Derek Lanoue (Tecumseh, Ont.) scored late in the third period what looked to be the game winning goal but Blake Chartier (Winnipeg/) of the Warriors tied it up 37 seconds later to send the game into overtime. 

With the extra period solving nothing, Andy Smith (Rosetown/) was the lone player to score in the shootout lifting his team to the 3-2 victory.

Starting goalie Justin Leclerc (Saskatoon/) was solid between the pipes for Waterloo stopping 36 shots and all three shootout attempts for the win while Dan Savelli made several key saves of his own and allowed only two goals on 30 shots.

The first period was all Windsor as the Lancers showed off their outside speed and nose for the net. With Waterloo in penalty trouble the Lancers would pepper Leclerc with all types of shots on a 5-on-3 opportunity but the Warrior netminder was equal to the task, stopping all 16 shots faced in the opening frame.

The second period would open up as both teams went on the attack. Waterloo found the first goal of the game at the 3:16 mark as rookie Josh Woolley (Cambridge/) would net his first goal as a Warrior to put the home squad up by one. Woolley made good after his own tip putting home the rebound while falling to the ice. Jarred Parent (West Montrose/) and Ryan Molle (Calgary/) were credited with the assists.

The Lancers would respond two minutes later as Brett Vandehogen (Chatham, Ont.) picked up an errand pass by Spencer Prommels (Grand Prairie, Alta.) and slid the puck home on his backhand past Leclerc.

Both squads would exchange chances in the next ten minutes but Leclerc and Savelli stood tall keeping the contest locked at one's as the period would end with a Waterloo penalty to Justin Larson (Buckhorn/).

Windsor was unable to capitalize on their third period power play as Waterloo's penalty killers did a good job of getting in the shooting lanes.  Both teams would continue to exchange chances before Windsor found the go ahead marker at 17:16 by Lanoue.  Lancers captain Matt McCready (Kingsville, Ont.) ripped a shot that bounced off Lanoue past Leclerc.

The Warriors would not let down, pressuring Windsor and would be rewarded 37 seconds later as Chartier would pick up a rebound on the goal mouth following a Larson shot that was tipped by Jarrett Schnurr (Waterloo/).

With overtime settling nothing, Andy Smith (Rosetown/) stepped up as the third and final shooter for Waterloo sliding the puck low blocker side on Sanelli to give Waterloo the extra point.

The win gives Waterloo a little more breathing room in third spot in the OUA west with 28 points (12-6-4) while Windsor sits alone in sixth with 19 points (9-11-1).

Waterloo turn their attention to the Outdoor Classic happening on Sunday, January 22 at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton against the Brock Badgers who also won tonight over York.  Game time is set for 1pm and tickets can be purchased at the Balsam/Beechwood gate.

If you don't wish to bare the elements, the game can be seen live on the Streaming Sports Network (SSN Canada).