WINDSOR, Ont. - After going 118 minutes and 42 seconds without a goal this weekend, Laurier would only need two for a 2-1 come back win against the Windsor Lancers on Sunday afternoon to split their season series at two games apiece.
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When it looked like the Golden Hawks would get shut out in back-to-back games, Coach
Greg Puhalski called a timeout, pulled the goalie, drew up a play, and the team executed to perfection and forced overtime.
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In Laurier's first extra frame of the season, the team would control the ice with multiple grade-A chances and top-flight saves until a two-on-one sealed the deal.
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Special teams continued their dichotomy as the penalty kill remained unbeaten for the fourth-straight game (5 for 5), while the powerplay fell silent for a fifth-straight game (0-for-4).
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Making 22 saves,
Tyler Fassl recorded his first win of the season in just his second start. The veteran had not played since November 20, but showed no signs of rust as the high calibre Lancers' offence tested him with multiple high-quality scoring chances where he had to be sharp.
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With two assists in the game,
Patrick Brown moved into the team lead in points and assists (2-7-9). In addition, his face-off win on the first goal was key to the success of the Golden Hawks' comeback.
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Last night's conservative strategy paid off this afternoon, as Laurier came out firing on all cylinders to start the first period, outshooting the Lancers 7-4 despite giving up two penalties in the frame.
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However, Windsor's Nathan Torchia continued to rob the Golden Hawks at every opportunity, including a sprawling save to keep the score at zero and end the period the same as the game before.
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In the second period, Windsor took over control of the game with momentum from an early powerplay on their side. Before the contest's midpoint, Kohn added another assist to his season total to set up the Lancers' first goal.
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Shortly after, Laurier had their first two powerplays in succession but could not build momentum back in their favour. The Golden Hawks had to kill another penalty before Windsor outshot them 11-8 in the frame to bring the game to even in the shot column.
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As the clock expired in the second, Brown laid out a thunderous hit to send the teams back to the dressing room with shockwaves and started the Golden Hawks' comeback.
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The game plan was simple in the third. Stay out of the penalty box, play a 4-1 defensive formation to keep the Lancers to the outside, and strike at the last minute. It may not have been pretty, but they don't ask how; they just ask how many.
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Laurier built on the Brown hit at the end of the second with a 5-on-3 powerplay early in the third. They could not convert. However, the Golden Hawks continued to pressure the goalie, knowing one would eventually go in.
As the seconds ticked off the clock, Laurier called a timeout with a shot to send the game beyond regulation. With the goalie pulled, Brown won a decisive face-off back to
Conor Ali, who kept the puck in the zone before sending it over to
Adrian Nabuurs.
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Nabuurs walked the line as he picked his corner and fired a laser through traffic to tie the game. It was the rookie's third goal of the season and is the best among team defencemen.
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The Golden Hawks continued to push after their goal, determined to win in regulation with a burst of energy. However, Windsor fought off the attack to force overtime.
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In the extra frame, both teams exchanged chances early. First, Windsor had a 2-on-1 where Fassl had to be sharp and stop two chances before the whistle. Next, Laurier came down with a similar opportunity that led to a scrambling goalie and numerous chances that each could have ended the game.
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After end-to-end action, Brown sprang another 2-on-1 out of the Laurier zone. On his wing, the late-game hero, Nabuurs. Both the defence and goalie had to respect the shot, leaving Nabuurs wide-open. Brown made a crisp pass to his partner, who made no mistake for his second of the game and second game-winning goal of the season.
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With the victory, Laurier increased its win percentage to .538, which is good for second in the OUA Far West and a home playoff spot in the first round of the playoffs.
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Players of the Game
Laurier
D
Adrian Nabuurs
The comeback kid scored a laser off the draw in the third to tie it and finished a beautiful 2-on-1 for the game-winner in overtime for his first two-goal game as a Golden Hawk (4-2-6). Â
Honourable Mentions
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Tyler Fassl with a 22-save win and multiple highlight-reel saves in his second start.
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Patrick Brown with two assists, a monster hit, and critical face-off wins to help his team to victory.
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Windsor
G Nathan Torchia (Baden, ON)
The rookie looked poised for back-to-back shutouts against the Golden Hawks and was sensational again tonight, adding another 25 saves to the 25 from last night to help his team secure a point. Â
Next Up
Laurier (7-6-0) will be back on the ice for a Wednesday night game in Guelph. Then they'll be back in Waterloo for the weekend in a home-and-home against the Warriors to finish the regular season.Â
Laurier can clinch a playoff spot and eliminate Guelph from the playoffs with a victory. Catch the game live on OUA TV.
Tickets for the Golden Hawks' Seniors Night game against Waterloo are available at
tickets.laurierathletics.com
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