Friday evening saw the Waterloo Warriors challenge the Lakehead Thunderwolves in a tense and closely contested match up.

The first period set the tone for the evening with high-intensity play on both sides. Possession remained evenly balanced, though the Thunderwolves held the edge in shots on goal. Warriors' goaltender Matt Onuska (Waterloo, ON) was a fortress between the pipes, turning aside every attempt and keeping the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

The second period brought the game's first goals, as Lakehead surged to a 2-0 lead. The Warriors remained undeterred, capitalizing on a power play opportunity to get on the board. Adamo Santia (Richmond Hill, ON) connected with Tate Popple (Brandon, MB), who found the back of the net to narrow the gap to 2-1. The goal energized the Warriors, sparking a flurry of offensive pressure with several close calls that suggested the equalizer was within reach.

In the third period, Waterloo doubled down on their offensive efforts, overwhelming the Thunderwolves with sustained pressure and significantly increasing their shot total. Their persistence paid off in dramatic fashion as Adamo Santia (Richmond Hill, ON) netted the tying goal in the final minute of regulation, with assists from Sam McKinney (Fredericton, NB) and Tate Popple (Brandon, MB), forcing the game into overtime.

The overtime period was an equally intense battle, with both teams pressing hard but unable to find the decisive goal. The game ultimately moved to a shootout, where the Thunderwolves edged out the Warriors in a nail-biting finish.

The Warriors will look to bounce back in the rematch against Lakehead this afternoon.