Waterloo, Ont. – Laurier's women's hockey team are still searching for their first win of the season after getting shut out 3-0 by the Western Mustangs on home ice Thursday night.
The first period flew by as both fast-paced teams fought to open the scoring, but it was Western who snuck in a goal before the end of the frame. After catching the puck in the air and settling it on the ice, Emma Suitor deked her way around Laurier starting goaltender Acadia Carlson to put the visitors up 1-0.
Laurier came out strong in the second period with six shots on goal but the Mustangs' defensive effort and goaltending stood strong as the Golden Hawks were unable to get one past Kaitlyn Booth.Â
With only six minutes remaining in the second period, Western's Adeline Kristoff came into the Golden Hawk zone on a two-on-one with her teammate Jenna MacLean and finished the rush by putting the Mustangs up by two with a quick one-timer into the top corner.
The third period largely consisted of tough puck battles with neither team producing much offence. However, with just over three minutes left to play, Laurier's Manager of Hockey Operations and Head Coach Kelly Paton opted to pull Carlson for an extra attacker. To secure their lead with one minute left, Mustangs' Brooke DiCicco shot the puck down ice into the empty net.
The Golden Hawks travel to North Bay to take on Nipissing Saturday night. The Lakers are currently the East Division's top team and have just one loss in their first six games.
Coached by former NHLer Darren Turcotte, the Lakers have scored the second-most goals in the OUA with 19. Paton is hoping to see the Golden Hawks defence "capitalize on opportunities and take time away from (the Lakers)".Â
Three Stars
Arielle MacDonald – Laurier Golden Hawks (stated as a consistent player this season by Coach Paton)
Kaitlyn Booth – Western Mustangs (shut out)
Emma Suitor – Western Mustangs (first goal of the 2022-2023 season and eventual game-winner)
Up Next
The Golden Hawks (0-6-1) hit the road to North Bay to take on the Nipissing Lakers (5-1-0) at 5:00 pm on Saturday, November 12. Follow all the action on OUA.tv.
