LONDON, Ont. - In the second half of a back-to-back on the road Friday night, the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks fell 4-3 to the Western Mustangs at Thompson Arena.

Special teams proved to be the difference as the Mustangs went 2/2 on the powerplay, while Laurier went 1/3.

The pressure came early from Western as Bailey Newton (Oakville, Ont.) of the Mustangs struck quickly with a goal in the first minute of the game. Laurier’s Matt Williams (Upper Tantallon, Ont.) got his first start of the season and had to be sharp early as the Mustangs kept peppering him with shots, but he was able to keep his team in it until Laurier could draw a penalty.

Using the momentum from the powerplay, the ice started to tilt in the Golden Hawks’ favour. Connor Ali (Brampton, Ont.) accepted a beautiful passing play to enter the zone and found Patrick Brown (Midland, Ont.) in front, whose shot made its way to Matt McJannet (Courtice, Ont.) for his first goal of the season.

Face-offs were a struggle for Laurier as center Kyle Pettit (Komoka, Ont.) of the Mustangs went 100% at the dot. This led to extended offensive zone time for Western and multiple odd-man rushes throughout the game, culminating in the second goal for the Mustangs by Reed Morison (Calgary, Alta.).

However, after a boarding call against the home team, Jake Payette (Caledon, Ont.) used his hands to make a play in tight for his second powerplay goal of the season in as many games. Rookie Cole Waugh (Riverview, NB.) had the lone assist on the play, which proved to be his first point in a Laurier uniform.

Unfortunately, the lead wouldn’t last long as a too many men call cost the Golden Hawks a powerplay goal against.

Early in the third period, Williams flashed the leather with a critical stop to keep the game within one for his team. 

Then mid-way through the frame, rookie Caleb Rich (Callander, Ont.) took a tripping penalty in the neutral zone. Western would make Laurier pay for the second time on the powerplay with a goal from Sean Montgomery (Calgary, Alta.).

Veteran Michael Silveri (North Bay, Ont.) wouldn’t let his team go down without a fight, picking up his first goal of the season. Assisting on the play was captain Zach Dybowski (Kitchener, Ont.) who got his third apple of the season to take the team lead in points (0-3-3), and rookie Sam Rhodes (Powhatan, VA) with his first point as a Golden Hawk. 

After the third goal, Laurier kept their foot on the gas and pulled their goalie for the extra attacker with 1:30 left to go, but ultimately fell short against the Mustangs.

Players of the Game

Laurier

F Matt McJannet (Courtice, Ont.)
The second-year vet picked up his first goal of the season with the Golden Hawks first goal of the game to tie it up. He extended his point streak to two games with 2 points (1-1-2) on the season, tied with six players for 2nd in total points

Western

LW Kolten Olynek (Saskatoon, Sask.)
Tied for the team lead in points on the night with two (1-1-2), he scored the first powerplay goal for Western that gave the team the lead they never relinquished

NEXT UP:

The Laurier Golden Hawks Men’s Hockey team will make their home ice debut next Thursday in the first installment of the Battle of Waterloo. So get your tickets today and take in the action. Catch the game live on OUA TV.