GUELPH, Ont. - Having built separate two-goal leads and eventually falling behind by one, Laurier rallied to force overtime but would ultimately drop a 5-4 decision to split their season series with the Guelph Gryphons.
Having recorded a point with the overtime loss, the Golden Hawks maintained a hold on the number two spot in the OUA Far West division with a .536 win percentage and secured a ticket to the Queen's Cup playoffs. The final two games will determine whether the team will receive home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs - and potentially further.Â
Goaltender Christian Propp got the nod with Tyler Fassl the expected starter for the Seniors Night game on Friday.Â
For the first time in six games, the Laurier power-play scored, capitalizing on its lone opportunity. In addition, the Golden Hawks penalty kill remained 100% for the third-straight game, with a clutch kill late in the final frame to hold out for overtime.
Down three skaters for a second game against Laurier, Guelph had noticeably higher energy as they are in do-or-die mode to make the playoffs. The only scenario where this occurs is if they win their remaining three games and have a better record than both Ryerson and York.
Therefore, the Gryphons came out firing and out-shot the Golden Hawks from the beginning and never looked back, ending the game with a 36-29 advantage.
However, Laurier would strike first on the momentum of solid goaltending from Propp to start the game, as he was tested early and often. After a strong cycle from down low, Steven MacLean launched a blast from the point that redirected through traffic by Grayden Gottschalk for his first goal of the season.
Less than three minutes later, Matt McJannet was checked in the neutral zone and sprang Evan Benwell into the Gryphon zone. Benwell would make a nice move to cut across to the opposite side off the ice before switching the direction again with a pass backdoor to Patrick Brown.
With a wide-open net, Brown would make no mistake to give Laurier a quick two-goal lead and extend his team lead in points to double digits with ten on the play.
Just as it looked like the Golden Hawks were running away with the game, Guelph responded under two minutes later with a goal of their own from Ted McGeen, to shift the momentum and get the crowd back on their side.
The rest of the period was relatively quiet compared to the burst of offence, and both teams remained disciplined with an unusual no calls through 20 minutes.
In the second, captain Anthony Sorrentino would force an early turnover behind the Gryphons' net before finding Chase Herrfort in the slot.Â
Then, in search of his first point of the season, Herrfort would muscle through a shot to give Laurier a 3-1 lead less than three minutes into the period. It was his second career goal as a Golden Hawk and his first of the season.
A hungry Guelph team would not let the Golden Hawks build momentum off the early goal and remained in control of the pace of play, outshooting the Golden Hawks 12-8 in the second, despite the limited bench.
As a result, the Gryphons would strike twice in the second half of the period to tie the game and reverse the box scores from the first. Andrew Dodson and Luke Kutkevicius scored for Guelph in the frame.
Unfortunately, the home team would keep on rolling early in the third, as captain Ted Nichol was gifted a breakaway where he tucked it home for his team's first lead of the game.
Laurier would respond under three minutes later after Guelph was called for a holding penalty. After a reset in their zone, Brown would streak down the far wing before centering the puck to McJannet from the goal line, who one-timed it home for the game-tying goal.
On the play, McJannet scored his fourth goal of the season and became the second player with double-digit points (4-6-10). Brown also extended his team-lead in points and assists to eleven and eight, respectively (3-8-11).
Looking to secure a regulation victory, Guelph sustained the pressure, but Laurier was only looking to get to overtime and secure a point. So, the Golden Hawks locked it down defensively for the remainder of the game.Â
Moments were tense in the final four minutes of the period as Nick Giunta was sent to the box on a tripping penalty. However, the third best penalty kill in the OUA stood tall and limited the Gryphons to outside chances and no ability to set up.
After their power-play ran out, Guelph would continue to get shots to Propp but could not solve the goalie before regulation ended, and for the second straight game, both teams would go to extra time.
Guelph would stretch a cross-ice feed for a glorious chance in the opening seconds of overtime, but Propp was there to shut the door and keep his team in the game.
Minutes later, Laurier would give up another breakaway where the Gryphons' leading scorer, Connor Bramwell, sealed the victory for his team and breathed life into their playoff chances.
It was only the fourth game that Laurier gave up four or more this season, highlighting the strength of the team's defence and goaltending, while it was the sixth time the team scored four or more goals, demonstrating the skill and depth of the Golden Hawks. This combination will prove key to a successful postseason run, which Laurier secured with a point from the overtime loss.
Players of the Game
Golden Hawks
RW - Grayden Gottschalk
The winger picked up his first goal of the season on an excellent tip in front to put it past a screened goaltender and give the Golden Hawks the opening goal of the game (1-1-2).
F - Chase HerrfortÂ
Fellow 2019 recruit, Herrort also picked up his first goal and point of the season on Laurier's third goal with a perfectly placed shot from the slot (1-0-1).
Guelph
LW - Connor Bramwell
The Gryphons leading scorer added three more points to his total to bring it up to nineteen on the season, including the game-winning goal in overtime (5-14-19).
Next Up
The Laurier Golden Hawks Men's Hockey team is back in action on Friday for the Senior's Game to begin a home-and-home Battle of Waterloo to finish the regular season.Â
The Golden Hawks need one victory against the Warriors to secure second in the division and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs - so get your tickets online now or catch the action live on OUA.tv
